Did you know that 44% of lone workers have felt unsafe while at work?

That’s almost half of the lone workers in Australia. Over the past 10 years, there have been over 1,850 traumatic injury fatalities in Australian workplaces. Workers in the healthcare industry and social assistance sector more often face situations wherein they are put at risk of physical and emotional harm. Their workplaces often change on a daily basis, and they frequently work alone, increasing risks to their health and safety even further. 

The Risks and Challenges of Healthcare and Social Assistance

Risks can include manual handling, biological and chemical hazards, complex medical equipment, workplace violence, bullying and harassment, mental health issues from stress, fatigue, slips, trips, and falls. If they are working alone when these risks come to light, they may not have adequate support to ensure they get home safely.

Verbal and physical assault and harassment are particularly common risks that healthcare workers and social assistance workers face, and studies have shown they are far more vulnerable to occupational violence than other professions. Occupational violence and aggression are estimated to affect around 95% of health and social assistance workers in Australia with not just physical and psychological risks, but financial implications for organisations as well. 

Importance of Personal Safety Alarms

Personal alarms and devices can act as discreet, immediate solutions during emergencies. 24/7 access to monitored lines of communication, incapacitation and fall alerts, and direct lines to emergency services mean that workers do not need to face these situations alone, even when working by themselves.

For healthcare and social assistance workers in remote areas that do not have fast access to support, or may not have access to stable mobile networks, lone worker safety devices can be lifesaving in emergency situations.  

How Duress Alarms Help

There are a range of personal safety equipment, medical alert devices, and lone worker devices on the market, including off-grid and mobile apps. The most effective devices are those that can be used discreetly, with reliable access to support. SafeTCard’s duress alarms are customisable, with constant access to an ASIAL Grade A1 Alarm Receiving Centre operated in Australia for your staff’s peace of mind.

The SafeTCard ID is an ID-style personal duress and man-down alarm incorporating 4G sims, GPS location technology, and incapacitation alerts. Activated by a simple button press, with a lengthy battery life for user peace of mind. This personal safety device is water and dust-proof, with an antimicrobial and bacteria-resistant design providing hygienic, durable support for healthcare and social assistance workers.

Another discreet activation option is the SafeTCard Mobile App. If privacy and security are dual concerns, the app guarantees secure storage of all personal information, including locations. A single button press activates the alarm, and managers can oversee their teams from a distance with two-way communications and continuous GPS updates. 

If durability is your focus, the 4G Companion provides reliable, durable, compact personal security. These safety devices incorporate GPS technology, fall detection, and 24/7 monitoring via SafeTCard’s Alarm Receiving Centre. This device is built to go with your workers wherever they end up, waterproof in up to 1m of water.

For remote workers, the ACR Bivy Stick can be a life-saving communication device. For workers going beyond mobile service boundaries, this satellite messenger lets them maintain connectivity with the rest of their team via off-grid group messaging and location sharing, monitored through the app, or a web browser. 

Building a Culture of Safety

While safety devices provide healthcare and social service workers with an extra level of security when working alone, they can also help organisations manage, monitor, and report on their locations, activities, and well-being in real-time. 

With the proper training and education, personal safety devices can be maximised to their full potential. Personal safety devices can effectively complement organisational safety protocols and ensure employers are meeting their duty of care. This in turn creates a safer work environment for social assistance and healthcare workers.

Benefits of Safety Devices for Employers

Providing personal security devices doesn’t just support workers to reduce their risk on the job and ensure personal safety. These devices can reduce absenteeism – which increases with mental and physical injuries – improve productivity for reporting and general risk management and enhance staff morale, knowing they have constant access to support.

These solutions can help employers comply with WHS duties and mitigate legal, and financial risks for companies by providing adequate control measures to offset or reduce risks and incident outcomes.

Secure Your Social Assistance and Healthcare Workers

SafeTCard has a single mission: we exist to help keep people safe. Get in touch to find the personal safety device for you and your team. Let us work together to help keep Australian workers safe.