Advantages and Disadvantages of Lone Worker Apps

Real-Time Location Tracking

One of the biggest advantages of using a Lone Worker App is real-time location tracking. The app sends their location when an alert is manually or automatically triggered, or when the employee uses the app to ‘check in’.

This is particularly useful for roles like security staff, delivery drivers, or field technicians who are constantly on the move. It also adheres to GDPR as employees’ locations aren’t constantly monitored, only when there is an issue and they need help.

Quick Access to Emergency Support

All Lone Worker Apps come equipped with the ability to create an emergency alert. Should a lone worker find themselves in danger or needing urgent assistance, they can simply press a button on their mobile to notify their employer or an emergency response team. This immediate access to help can be lifesaving in critical situations, offering peace of mind to both workers and employers.

Automated Check-Ins

Another helpful feature of most Lone Worker Apps is the ability to schedule automated check-ins. Employers can set these to occur at regular intervals, reducing the need for manual calls or texts, a check in will also send the GPS location. A countdown pops up on the mobile safety app and the lone worker must cancel the alert before it reaches zero. If the worker fails to check in, the app will automatically alert supervisors or the ARC monitoring centre who will attempt contact with the worker, ensuring that nothing goes unnoticed for too long in potentially dangerous situations.

Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations

Irish employers are legally required to safeguard their employees, and a Lone Worker App can help businesses meet their obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. These apps help ensure compliance by offering reliable tools for monitoring, recording, and managing lone worker safety, reducing the risk of fines or accidents arising from inadequate protections.

No it doesn’t monitor it all the time!! This would likely be against GDPR.. it sends their location when an alert is manually or automatically triggered, or when the employee uses the app to ‘check in’.

Device Availability

For a lone worker device to be effective, it needs to be used in the event of an emergency! A mobile phone will not always be immediately accessible; it may be in a bag, or a pocket. Solutions integrating a wearable device that communicates with the app can overcome this serious limitation, such as an app plus Bluetooth wristband. In a swift and seriousemergency, your employee may not be able to get to it in time.

Technology Limitations

If a worker’s mobile phone runs out of battery, loses signal, or malfunctions, the app may become useless in an emergency. Network coverage should be considered, battery life and monitoring of usage, ie whether the employee actually activates the app when on shift.

Privacy Concerns

Real-time tracking will raise privacy concerns among employees. One of the attractions of lone worker apps is that they are lower cost than specific lone worker devices. However, if you’re expecting an employee to install an app for work on their personal phone there could be resistance from employees and unions. Some workers will think that their location is always being monitored and that that violates GDPR (which it would if true). It’s important for employers to address these concerns by being transparent about how the app will be used and ensuring that tracking features are only activated when necessary for safety.

Emergency Response

There are many Lone Worker Apps available on the market, they vary in price depending on the features and services offered. As a lone worker app is usually a lower cost option than a dedicated device, cost sensitive employers can be tempted to ‘self monitor’ alarms. If this is the case, the company must be certain that they have the infrastructure in place to react immediately and appropriately to an emergency response, even if the employee is in the field.