Environment Agency trials lone worker alarm

A new lone-worker alarm that uses satellite technology is being trialled by the Environment Agency, which is testing it against existing mobile phone-based systems.

The satellite-based device, developed by marine civil engineering contractor Land & Water in conjunction with emergency response systems specialist SBES, offers greater coverage than existing devices, which rely on mobile phone coverage.

The system can be sewn into clothing, and offers three types of alert: a man in water alert, a man down alert and a panic alert.

Once the device has sent out an alert, employers can download the exact location of the worker to a street-level mapping or PDA device.

[Contract Journal, 30 August 2006, p 12]