Case Studies

Utility deploys lone worker safety device

by Mark Rowe

The utility Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) is using a device to track and protect lone and remote workers.

The water firm has made an initial deployment of over 300 SPOT Gen3 devices for use by 1,500 employees who carry out checks on reservoirs in remote areas, where GSM signal can be unreliable or non-existent. The products are from Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc.

A “low-risk” category of occasional lone workers, either in offices or in the field, have access to a bespoke smartphone app for summoning help as part of a service by Globalstar partner, Lone Worker Solutions.

Northumbrian Water Group went through a competitive selection process involving 46 technology providers before selecting Lone Worker Solutions to provide a hybrid satellite and smartphone solution based around the SPOT Gen3. According to the product developers this hybrid approach results in better operational efficiency. Lone Worker Solutions provides a unified platform which monitors voice calls and SMS from smartphones and alert messages from SPOT Gen3s. Calls and SOS alerts go to Lone Worker Solutions’ operations centre and to the utility’s employee support centre for handling.

Typically, in a safety system deployment, an organisation sets up a shared pool of devices. Instead, Northumbrian Water Group allows its most at-risk staff to have their own SPOT Gen3 device, so that staff do not need to return to central offices to sign devices in and out.

Northumbrian Water – Health, Safety and Environment Consultant Team Leader Diane Somerville said: “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our staff is an extremely high priority for Northumbrian Water Group and it helps us attract and retain skilled employees. Feedback from staff on the new solution and SPOT has already been overwhelmingly positive. Our employees are telling us that the system is easy to use and we are delighted that we are delivering on our ongoing commitment to constantly ensure that our people are safe while at work while they provide vital services to our customers.”

George Stavrinidis, Managing Director of Lone Worker Solutions, said: “Enabling managers to see instantly where all front-line personnel are, whether they are carrying a smartphone or SPOT device, without the need to juggle multiple systems, databases and disparate interfaces helps ensure that Northumbrian Water staff receive rapid support when they need it.”

And Gavan Murphy, Director of Marketing, EMEA at Globalstar, said: “Ensuring the safety and welfare of staff is now high on the radar of both corporations and public organisations. With SPOT’s reach, enabled by Globalstar’s second generation satellite network, we are helping providers of key services to improve the welfare of their team members.”

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