Case Studies

Lone worker devices for housing association

by Mark Rowe

The Bangor-based housing association, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd has signed a three-year contract to protect its lone workers with the Identicom lone worker device.

Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG), set up in Gwynedd, north Wales, in 2010, provides nearly 6,300 affordable homes and services to its tenants. Of the 280 staff, over 100 are lone workers. Management reviewed a number of devices to help protect these workers.

In 2013, CCG signed a three year contract with Connexion2, to provide the BS8484 approved lone worker device, Identicom, which has over 120,000 in circulation. After CCG’s initial trial of the Identicom 877 devices with GPS, ‘Man Down’ and the added extra of the Mobile Workforce Management Platform (MWMP), CCG purchased over 120 devices through the SoloProtect solution protecting job roles including housing management staff, repairs and maintenance, occupational therapists and clerk of works. SoloProtect is a lone worker safety solution provided by Connexion2, offering the Identicom device, 24/7 manned monitoring, SIM card and mobile network usage, device training and monthly reporting. The solution is compliant with BS8484:2011, the British Standard for lone worker device services.

Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG) protects workers with the Identicom 877 devices including functions such as GPS, and ‘Man Down’ detection for users suffering from environmental risks. The device automatically activates a ‘Red Alert’ if a user suffers a slip, trip or fall. CCG also uses the Mobile Workforce Management Platform (MWMP) feature as featured in the December print issue of Professional Security Magazine.

The platform provides a tool to a lone worker manager by the ability to access location data on individuals through GPS and GPRS technology. The devices also allow a user to perform a ‘Status Check’, leave an ‘Amber Alert’ or raise a ‘Red Alert’, activated by a user who feels their safety is compromised, by pressing the large central button on the rear of the device. The alert is then monitored by a trained handler and can be escalated to a police response if required.

Alan Thomas, CDM Co-ordinator, CCG, said: “After trialling a number of lone worker solutions, the Identicom lone worker device proved most popular with both users and managers, offering peace of mind and value for money. The MWMP feature allows our managers to easily locate staff, aiding in location specific tasks and workforce management.”

Notes

Connexion2, formed in 2003, supplies product indirectly through authorised channel partners who range from lone worker service providers, security companies and systems integrators. The Identicom lone worker device (LWD) made by Connexion2 is an Identity card holder containing mobile phone technology for use by a lone worker facing risk of verbal abuse, attack or a ‘man-down’ situation. Identicom was the first Lone Worker Device to attain Police endorsement through ACPO’s ‘Secured by Design’ status.
In 2012 Connexion2 launched the next Identicom – with two-way audio, ‘Man Down’, the Identicom 8 Series.

For lone workers facing less frequent risk, Identicom mobile is a smart-phone application for use on Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Android or Apple iPhone. Identicom mobile gives a lone worker much of the functionality of the Identicom LWD but on a smartphone. Identicom mobile has also achieved ACPO ‘Secured by Design’ status.

In May 2013 Connexion2 was acquired by Kings III of America Inc.

Website: www.connexion2.com

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