Lone worker

Maintenance workers face high-risk situations daily. Learn why lone worker alarms are now essential across industries.

Date of publication:
5/18/2025
Benoit Pauillac
Expert in Lone Worker technical solutions
Summary

I. The high-risk reality of maintenance jobs

Maintenance technicians are essential to industrial, pharmaceutical, aeronautical and energy operations. Yet they often work in hazardous conditions:

  • At heights or near heavy machinery
  • Around live electrical systems
  • In contact with toxic chemicals
  • In confined, isolated or low-connectivity areas

Even with protective gear and strict protocols, unexpected incidents can occur. That’s where lone worker safety devices become essential—helping organizations prevent critical delays in emergency response.

II. Four reasons to implement a lone worker solution

1. Promote safety awareness

Lone worker alarms reinforce a safety-first culture. Whether via a mobile app, rugged device, or connected smartwatch, these tools allow technicians to alert emergency teams in case of a fall, fainting, or threat.

For explosive environments, ATEX-certified smartphones offer compliant protection while remaining compatible with safety software.

2. Ensure immediate response

Fast reaction time can save lives. Lone worker solutions provide:

If a technician becomes unresponsive, automated alerts ensure no situation goes unnoticed.

3. Reduce workplace accidents

The right features can prevent minor issues from escalating:

  • AI-based fall detection
  • Motionless detection for fainting or unconsciousness
  • Geofencing to monitor entries into hazardous zones

Customizable safety settings let each company adapt the system to their specific risk profile.

4. Improve safety management through data

Advanced lone worker platforms don’t just respond—they inform. A centralized dashboard helps teams:

  • Monitor alarm frequency
  • Identify high-risk areas
  • Analyze response times

These insights support audits, legal compliance, and continuous safety improvements.

III. Staying protected in no-signal zones

Many maintenance operations take place in remote locations or signal-deprived areas: tunnels, basements, industrial zones surrounded by metal walls, or open environments without coverage.

To maintain protection in these contexts, advanced lone worker solutions include:

  • Lifeline mode: sets a check-in timer; if the worker fails to confirm safety, an alert is sent automatically.
  • Satellite relays (e.g., via Iridium network) to send alerts even without cellular coverage.

Whether underground or far from infrastructure, technicians remain monitored and supported—without interruption.

Conclusion: Smarter safety for today’s maintenance teams

From factories to energy grids and chemical labs, lone worker protection is no longer optional. The risks are real—and predictable.

Equipping your teams with a reliable lone worker solution enhances safety, speeds up intervention, and helps you analyze and prevent future incidents. A proactive approach that protects both people and operations.

TechnologieAvantagesInconvénientsAdapté pour
Wifi + VoIP- Transmission instantanée des alertes et appels VoIP - Coût faible après installation - Facile à déployer en intérieur- Portée limitée (bâtiments uniquement)- Nécessite une infrastructure locale (bornes WiFi)Zones blanches intérieures (usines, tunnels, entrepôts)
Réseau radio privé (UHF, VHF, NXDN, dpMR)- Réseau indépendant (aucun besoin de réseau mobile)- Transmission instantanée- Levée de doute par la voix- Coût d’installation élevé - Nécessite une maintenance et des licencesSites industriels, chantiers, tunnels, zones rurales
LPWA (LoRa, Sigfox)- Faible consommation énergétique- Longue portée- Ne permet pas la transmission vocale - Latence élevée - Risque d’interférences sur bande libreSurveillance d’équipements, mais déconseillé pour les PTI
Satellite (Bivy Stick, Iridium, Inmarsat)- Couverture mondiale, fonctionne partout- Transmission immédiate des alertes- Autonomie longue durée- Coût d’abonnement plus élevé - Dépendance à une bonne visibilité du cielZones blanches extérieures (montagnes, forêts, chantiers isolés, offshore)
Récapitulatif des technologies
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