What is fall detection?

Fall detection identifies when a user falls, automatically activating an SOS alarm without a user having to manually press a button. This means that an alarm is raised even if the user is unconscious or is injured and unable to use their hands to activate an alarm manually. Sometimes also referred to as "man down," fall detection is included in many personal safety devices, as well as some lone worker devices. 

How does fall detection work?

The way fall detection works differs by device. A fall may be detected by one or more of the following;

• via impact
• tilt or change of orientation
• no motion sensed after a defined period of time
• freefall (rapid acceleration or deceleration)

In the case of lone workers, what happens next, once a fall has been detected, will depend on the type of device they are using and the lone worker system their organisation has in place. 

If a fall is detected and an alarm is raised, this will be received by either a designated manager or colleague or an Alarm Receiving Centre (or ARC for short.) You will agree which is your preference during the set-up of your devices, prior to your lone workers using them.  

• When an ARC receives an alarm, an operator at the ARC will try to speak to the lone worker through the device's two-way voice communications. If the lone worker fails to respond or is clearly in distress, the ARC operator will alert the emergency services and/or the organisations' agreed responders.
• Some organisations choose not to use an Alarm Receiving Centre; in this case a designated manager or colleague would be alerted and it is their responsibility to check on the lone worker and call the emergency services if necessary. 

Who should use a fall detection alarm?

Using a fall detection alarm or fall detection device can be beneficial for many different people including;

• lone workers - as they don't have immediate help in the event of a slip, trip or fall.
• those working at height - for example those working on roofs, scaffolding or climbing ladders are at an increased risk of falling.
• people operating moving machinery - for example those driving a digger or forklift truck are at risk of falling off.
• people that work outdoors - they may be working in a large area that could be difficult to get to in the event of an emergency or could encounter uneven terrain which increases their risk of falling.
• those with a serious health condition - they are often at a significant risk of falling, fainting or a seizure.
• people that work with animals - they may be at risk of being pushed, kicked or knocked over by an animal.

There are lots of organisations that benefit from using fall detection devices to improve response time in an emergency and give employees, and their managers, peace of mind. These are often in the following industries:

• Cleaning - cleaners are at risk of slips, trips and falls because of handling cleaning equipment and face hazards such as wet floors. 
• Construction - construction workers have many risks to consider when working on construction sites, including the increased likelihood of falling due to working on uneven surfaces or on roofs, scaffolding or ladders. 
• Manufacturing - factories, warehouses and manufacturing plants can be hazardous and noisy environments, meaning it may be difficult to see or hear if someone has fallen. Workers operating heavy machinery, moving machinery or who are lifting and carrying items are also at increased risk of slips, trips and falls. 
• Agriculture - those working outdoors often face trip hazards and uneven surfaces, making trips and falls more likely. In this industry workers are often in very remote areas which means the quicker they get help, the better. 
• Public sector - for example those working in the emergency services, in hospitals, social workers etc. Those responding to the public can unfortunately be at an increased risk of aggression and violence which could result in a fall.  

Which fall detection devices are available?

There are lots of different fall detection devices and fall detection alarms available. Choosing the right one will depend on the level of risk faced by your workers, the environment they work in and the locations they tend to work from. 

A lone worker safety watch is ideal for complex indoor environments where mobile phone signal is poor and WIFI can be used instead. This is often useful for workers in large manufacturing sites. 

An SOS Fob is perfect for those with a public facing role, or cleaners that work alone. These are small, compact and lightweight devices designed to give peace of mind to lone workers and an easy way to alert someone in an emergency situation. 

ID cards are also ideal for those in public facing roles. These devices allow for a means of identification to be worn, whilst providing increased safety and security for lone & hybrid workers. 

The Man Down X is a robust, hard wearing safety device ideal for lone or remote workers in an industrial setting or roles that involve manual labour.

A Twig One is optimised for high risk lone workers in noisy industrial environments and for sites that have problematic signal areas able to make use of WIFI. The Twig One Atex is incredibly useful for those working in hazardous and explosive environments. 

If you're looking for a lone worker solution with fall detection, contact us on 0330 999 8484 or email sales@lonealert.co.uk We can talk about the main challenges your lone workers are facing and which devices are most suitable for them. Alternatively you can find out more about our lone worker devices here.