Reading Scientific Services (RSSL) has purchased SoloProtect from Connexion2 of Sheffield, which safeguards laboratory workers who are operating alone at night or at weekends.
RSSL is a UK provider of science and technology outsourcing to the global pharmaceutical, healthcare, food, drink and consumer goods industries.
The company offers an emergency response service to the pharmaceutical and food industries 24/7 and 365 days a year, which often necessitates staff having to work alone in the laboratory out of office hours to manage unforeseen product contamination problems.
Aware that its existing alarm system was inadequate, Will Jones, RSSL's IT manager, decided to investigate other devices that would give staff peace of mind in the knowledge that they were being monitored and could easily summon help.
"Our staff are often called upon to work alone at our premises at night and weekends which means they could be vulnerable if they had an accident, were taken ill or an incident occurred," said Jones. "We have six Identicom units, which are pooled by staff who are on call. Feedback from the staff has been very positive."
RSSL's decision to purchase the SoloProtect package was based on the Identicom unit's ease of use and because it automatically raises the alarm if staff get into difficulties. The ability of employees to participate fully in managing their own safety was also an important feature.
SoloProtect combines the five core elements: the "ACPO Secured By Design" approved Identicom; SIM and inclusive airtime; user training; 24-hour manned monitoring and TotalCare pre- and post- sale customer support.
A lone worker presses an amber alert button on the Identicom and gives verbal details of his or her whereabouts, which notifies SoloProtect's monitoring centre. If the red alert is then pressed, the centre's support staff can discreetly listen in to what is happening and make an assessment of the level of support required - involving the emergency services if necessary. Should a worker become incapacitated, the "man down" function within the Identicom automatically raises a red alert.
