Hi morraphael,

There are systems that can use WiFi to piggy back a signal out of areas with no mobile reception, but from what I've seen they are site based installations (http://www.loneworkersolutions.com/content/fixed-site) and don't use 'public' wifi, which may be a problem if you're working remote sites. Voice Over WiFi is a possible solution (PeopleSafe have a mobile app allows logging in/raising of alarms/man-down detection, although I'm not sure if it supports VOWiFi), but this obviously requires availability and authority to access from wherever you're working, plus some wifi systems don't support VOWiFi.

While our staff mainly work outdoors and can use spot trackers in reception 'black-spots', our best solution is still an agreed system of work by using the automated sign-in/out system - we ask staff not to sign in for any period longer than 3 hours, which while this means having to return to an area of reception to either sign out or extend the period of work, means at least they're maintaining some form of contact and remaining mobile.

Hopefully someone can recommend a more direct solution than that (I'd be keen to hear it too).

You have to appreciate that a lone worker solution is more than just a button. Someone pushes the button: what happens then. Who will monitor the response yourselves or call centre? What will they do? If you call the police they will not suddenly rush out to investigate a missing employee. They need evidence that they are in real danger and that this is not a false alarm caused by someone not turn the device on or taking it home etc

If you are looking at out of hours (ie not 9 to 5) then can you rely on “friends and family”?

Finally how will your staff respond to this; will some of them see it as a way of spying on them. Remember the sorts of people who take these sorts of peripatetic jobs are the sort that don’t like working in an office and value their independence. The idea that someone back at HQ is monitoring them might not go down well.