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knotty  
#1 Posted : 20 January 2020 09:02:37(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
knotty

Happy Blue Monday.

Does anyone have information/experience/advice on lone worker systems that don't rely on a mobile phone network? I'm struggling to find any. Perhaps there is a niche area that use them to aid my research?

Thanks

A Kurdziel  
#2 Posted : 20 January 2020 09:16:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

It’s a few years since I have looked at this in detail but essentially there are two technologies available for remote worker communication: mobile and satellite. Mobile is by far the most common as most of the country is covered by at least one network. The best systems are not tied to one network but will find the nearest available one. There are though certain remote areas where the coverage is patchy or not very accurate: it will “pinpoint” your location to within 4 square miles!  Of course these are the areas of greatest concern.  Alternatively you can try satellite coverage but this is more expensive and ironically can have issues with things like tree cover. There are systems which can switch between both modes.

What is your issue with mobile coverage?

 

thanks 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
knotty on 20/01/2020(UTC)
chris42  
#3 Posted : 20 January 2020 10:10:02(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42

walkie talkie?

How serious an injury is there potential for?

thanks 1 user thanked chris42 for this useful post.
knotty on 20/01/2020(UTC)
knotty  
#4 Posted : 20 January 2020 11:02:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
knotty

Originally Posted by: A Kurdziel Go to Quoted Post

It’s a few years since I have looked at this in detail but essentially there are two technologies available for remote worker communication: mobile and satellite. Mobile is by far the most common as most of the country is covered by at least one network. The best systems are not tied to one network but will find the nearest available one. There are though certain remote areas where the coverage is patchy or not very accurate: it will “pinpoint” your location to within 4 square miles!  Of course these are the areas of greatest concern.  Alternatively you can try satellite coverage but this is more expensive and ironically can have issues with things like tree cover. There are systems which can switch between both modes.

What is your issue with mobile coverage?

 


I have complex facilities essentially housed in a concrete bunker network. Hazards and layout mean a lone worker/man down system is needed, but there is no signal. walkie-talkies are the only option I've found, but there is little choice, and these don't typically include a man down/motion detector.

A Kurdziel  
#5 Posted : 20 January 2020 11:38:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

it might be possible to have a hard wired system. 

otherwise it will be down to lone worker protocols ie everyone signs out where they are are going and have agreed call in times etc
thanks 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
knotty on 20/01/2020(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#6 Posted : 20 January 2020 12:22:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Internet search "man down radio" there a plethora of walkie talkies with built in inclinometer and panic buttins

Roundtuit  
#7 Posted : 20 January 2020 12:22:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Internet search "man down radio" there a plethora of walkie talkies with built in inclinometer and panic buttins

knotty  
#8 Posted : 20 January 2020 13:24:01(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
knotty

Thank you all - having the right search term really helps (although many advertised "radio" systems turn out to not use "radio" signals).

However, helpful feedback and a step forward for me - thank you everyone.

DavidHawkins  
#9 Posted : 21 January 2020 19:20:08(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
DavidHawkins

We've started using 'Hytera DMT' two way comms systems at some of our fixed sites, which have panic alarms and man down functionality, and they've gone down really well with the teams using them. Might be worth a look (I don't work for them by the way and there are others available!!)

We have a lot of remote lone workers in my company and lack of mobile coverage in some areas is a major problem for us. Roaming SIM cards can help but not everywhere. We have got some small satellite devices, the sort that hill walkers use, but I'm not convinced they're the right solution - and they certainly won't be a bunker system!

 

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