Stay Safe app for iPhone launches in UK to protect lone workers

StaySafe has officially launched in the UK aiming to help lone workers, employers and personal users feel safe, in touch and always on the map. It turns the iPhone into a personal guardian with GPS. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) February 17, 2012 - The first UK iPhone app designed to protect business users at risk of accident or attack when working alone has been launched. Stay Safe is a free app, and has been developed as a first line of protection for lone workers and a way for employers to comply with HSE guidelines.

The app allows users to let their colleagues or managers know exactly where they are when help is needed urgently, even if they are unable to use their phone due to accident or attack.

Users set up a secure PIN the first time the app is used. They then enter details of meetings or journeys into the app, and set a timer for how long they expect this activity to take. They also select emergency contacts from their phone address book. Once the timer begins, the phone's GPS location is updated every minute, closely tracking the user's location. Five minutes before the time set for activity to end, the phone will begin to beep and vibrate to remind the user that they need to cancel the alert or manually extend the timer. If they do not, the app alert will be triggered and emergency contacts will be receive a message via email or text that the user may be at risk, complete with their last known location. Once the alert is set, the app will continue to notify emergency contacts even if the phone is switched off or damaged, of if its battery dies.

A panic button feature also allows users to discretely raise the alarm should they suddenly be put at risk, which immediately sends an alert and GPS location to emergency contacts. As an additional safety feature, a 'duress' PIN can be entered if the user is forced to cancel the alert by an attacker. Whilst giving the impression that the app has been deactivated, entering the duress PIN will send an alert.

Graham Mills, President of The Survey Association and MD of The Technics Group, created the Stay Safe app in partnership with mobile solution developers One Result after recognising the need to protect his own lone-working surveying staff. He commented: "Surveyors, like many lone working professionals such as estate agents or care workers, are unfortunately at greater risk of coming to harm than individuals who do not work alone. Our surveyors carry mobile phones at all times, but we were aware that in some circumstances they might not be able to use the phone to call for help.

"Stay Safe was developed so that employers such as myself could be immediately aware if any member of staff was possibly at risk, and in a worst-case scenario, their exact location should assistance be needed.

"The app is not only designed to give lone workers greater security, but also to provide those with a duty of care towards them with peace of mind and greater ability to provide assistance should it be needed."

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) guidelines¹ on the risk of lone working clearly sets out the responsibility employers have for the safety of their lone working staff, stating: "Employers need to investigate the potential hazards faced by lone workers and assess the risks involved both to the lone worker and to any person who may be affected by their work. Employers should ensure that measures are in place to control or avoid such risks." These guidelines also require employers to put procedures into place to monitor lone workers to help keep them healthy and safe, and state specifically that procedures for emergencies must also be established.

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