CRIME & SAFETY
Lone Worker Solutions for Network Rail
The launch of the new enhanced Sentinel card system has ushered in the use of new technology and new ways of working for rail workers in the UK. Coinciding with this, Network Rail is introducing two new Lone Worker Protection services – Push4Help and Heartbeat – both activated from workers’ mobile devices. Steve White, technical director of Lone Worker Solutions, explains more.
T
he Everyone Home Safe Every Day campaign highlights Network Rail’s
commitment to keeping staff safe. This extends to ensuring that any individual working alone is protected. The Heartbeat service monitors you on a regular basis at chosen intervals, (for example 60 minutes), whereas Push4Help is an immediate push-button alert system that feeds directly through to an operator who can monitor any ongoing situation with the individual – calling emergency services if necessary.
Lone Worker Protection in a nutshell:
• Lone Worker Protection is a service that employees can opt-in to – it has to be activated from their mobile device each time they want to use it.
• Users must leave a message whenever they want to activate the service. The message must, at the very least, contain who to call in the event of an emergency. Ideally, some location information should be left too.
• Users determine which services to use depending on their own circumstances. • GPS only works if you have activated it on the phone.
• Will be available to all Sentinel card holders.
Both services are provided by Lone Worker Solutions Limited based in Bury, Greater Manchester. Its technical director, Steve White, answered users’ questions:
Q) What are the benefi ts of Lone Worker Protection for the user?
The user safety aspect. No matter where you are, we have a solution where, in the case of an emergency, we can send help to you as quickly as possible. And that is whether you are working alone in remote areas or in dangerous
urban areas. The Lone Worker Protection provides a single point of escalation no matter what mobile phone you use; no matter who you are or where you are, there is a support solution for you.
Q) Once I enrol for Lone Worker Protection will I need to upgrade my phone or my service?
No. The Heartbeat or Push4Help works across both smart and non-smartphones. There is a dedicated app for Windows, Android and iPhones, with BlackBerry and non- smartphones supported by the voice Heartbeat service. All the apps are managed by a single platform.
Q) Are there other companies using this service?
A number of shipping ports around the UK use the system, along with homecare health providers, key security personnel, engineering and utility companies.
Q) What about people who work in areas of no phone reception – how would they use this service?
Yes, we know this is a common problem in various parts of the rail network. In this instance the person would use the Heartbeat system. The Heartbeat system activates the response timers on both the app used by the lone worker and the Lone Worker Manager Platform. So even if the mobile phone loses signal, the platform still expects a response and so will activate an alert.
Q) How will people know of any upgrades or if the system goes down?
If you have installed the app on your phone, you will be alerted automatically each time
there is an upgrade. The app will always inform you if there is an issue with the Lone Worker Manager Platform. This will appear on your mobile phone screen.
Q) What about data security – how secure is the information you will hold on people?
Very secure. All data is held in data centres adhering to the highest ISO standards. Your data is subject to data protection legislation. The only way an employer can access information about you is through a court order.
In introducing the service to Network Rail, we have made sure the system’s security is very robust. This has been a big concern for the rail unions, so I’m glad to say that our system more than meets that requirement.
Q) So what’s next?
We’re constantly developing new applications and integrating dedicated devices, such as mobile phones, to provide lone worker protection regardless of where people work. Our goal is to provide a simple easy-to-use system for lone worker protection for all users.
An example of what is in our development pipeline is a dedicated small satellite communication device that can be used in areas where there is absolutely no mobile phone signal.
In the near future we will be releasing a dedicated Windows mobile app, which is now being trialled.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
W:
www.railsentinel.co.uk/LoneWorkerProtection W:
www.loneworkermanager.com
rail technology magazine Aug/Sep 14 | 47
Steve White
© Jonathan Brady
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164