Lone Worker Tracking

Tracking devices range in sizes, as well as how they are used.  You have vehicle tracking which is monitoring a fleet vehicle.  Then you have the lone worker tracking option.  A lone worker tracking device tracks the person rather than the vehicle or other asset.  Under the category of tracking an individual there are also different methods.

In lone worker tracking you have Mobile Phones, PDAs or any handset that has GPS enabled systems.  You also have identity badges, 2 way radios, and stand alone devices.  The tracking system generally works the same way in all the devices.  It just depends on what works best for your company and your employees. For example if you do not need to communicate with your employees a badge or other small stand alone device can work best for you.  The badge can still have a panic button built in if the employee needs help in an emergency.

Mobile phones and two way radios are easier to use for communication and tracking.  2 way radios or walkie talkies as they are generally called have a limited range.  You will have to be close to the person in order to get a hold of them or even track them.  If the person goes outside the range of the tracking device on the radio you can lose contact.  The mobile phone is the best option for mobile workers.

The mobile phone allows you to track them even if they are in an international country rather than in the UK.  There are very few areas left on Earth that do not have mobile phone reception or GPS satellites to help you track the person.  For mobile employees working off site the mobile phone is the best.  A worker going to a customer house with a GPS enabled phone can call in on the company phone instead of borrowing the customer’s phone.  They are also going to show up on your tracking system regarding their location, so that you can double check where they are or if they have left a site.

All the lone worker tracking devices can have a panic or SOS button attached.  This button can be depressed if the worker is in an emergency or dangerous situation.  You can then alert the police to their situation quickly.  There are alerts sent to email, SMS, text messages, and to the home base system when an emergency occurs.  Police can even be dispatched immediately without waiting for your call if you feel this is needed.

For areas in the world without mobile phone networks there are other systems to use for tracking the lone worker.  Overall you have the ability to make sure your employee is safe with the lone worker tracking system.  More than that you can also increase productivity and lower your operational costs with these systems.  By keeping tabs on your employees you know when they are not at work when they are supposed to be or when they are trying to pad their mileage or hours reports.