ADT launch Identicom lone worker protection
ADT, the UK’s leading provider of electronic fire and security solutions, has launched the next generation of staff protection systems. The Identicom™ lone worker protection unit is a discreet communication device to help ensure the personal safety of vulnerable workers and people who work alone.
There are more than one million recorded incidences of violence or abuse targeted at lone workers in the UK each year, resulting in the loss of over three million working hours and a direct cost of over £30 million according to the British Crime Survey.
Identicom™ works indoors and outdoors on most Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) networks to address the needs of individuals who face threats, either physical or verbal, in the course of their work.It is an ideal solution for social workers, postal workers, parking wardens and all others who spend their working day in the community.Furthermore, it is the perfect solution for people who work alone at night.
The alarm unit resembles an identity card holder, allowing the user to raise the alarm in an emergency situation discreetly but reliably.The user operates the unit with three simple buttons allowing them to raise the alarm, record information and perform a reassuring operational check of the unit.
Philippe Epifanoff, Care Communications Product Manager for ADT said: “The system is ideal for people working alone in situations where they may feel vulnerable.Upon entering a potentially dangerous environment they can record their location and observations, which can help to speed up and improve the effectiveness of a response should an incident occur.If they are threatened, the simple press of a button raises an instant alert with ADT’s Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), enabling fast and effective escalation procedures to be initiated. The ARC is National Security Inspectorate (NSI) approved and a dedicated team has been set up to provide support 24 hours a day.”
ADT’s new Identicom™ technology comes with three primary applications:
- Stop and check – this test of signal strength and battery power allows the user to check their ability to raise an alarm before entering a potentially dangerous situation.
- Amber alert – this allows the recording of vital information should a worker feel vulnerable. A verbal message is left which is automatically recorded by ADT’s ARC.
- Red alert – this allows the user to raise an instant alert with a single press of a button, opening a voice channel with the ARC.The fast and efficient escalation ensures help is summoned as soon as possible, including emergency services where necessary.An additional feature is the ‘heart beat’ function, which gives a short vibration every few seconds during a red alert to provide extra reassurance to the user that the call remains active.
Mr. Epifanoff concluded: “The system will help to provide both peace of mind for lone workers and their employers when entering a potentially dangerous environment, and also valuable evidence should an incident occur.”
