What are lone worker devices?
Lone worker devices are wearable or portable safety devices that let an employee working alone call for help and be located quickly in an emergency. A lone worker device typically combines a one-touch panic alert or red alert, man down detection that raises an alarm automatically if the wearer falls or stops moving, and GPS tracking so responders know exactly where the person is. Alerts are sent to a monitoring team, an alarm receiving centre or your own security team, who can escalate to the emergency services if needed.
What is man down?
Man down is a feature that raises an alert automatically, without the worker having to press anything. Using motion and tilt sensors, the device detects when someone has fallen, been knocked over, or has stayed motionless for too long, and then triggers an alarm and shares their location. It is designed for the moments a panic button cannot cover, when a lone worker is injured, unconscious or otherwise unable to call for help themselves. Man down detection is one of the most important capabilities in any lone worker device, and it is built into the Vismo Lone Worker Badge.
Our lone worker devices
Vismo offers lone worker devices to suit different roles and environments. Both connect directly to the Vismo platform for real-time alerting, location and monitoring.
Vismo Lone Worker Badge
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Vismo Lone Worker Badge
A discreet, wearable badge that clips to clothing, a lanyard or a belt, built for people who work alone or in the community. It combines a one-touch panic alert, automatic man down detection and real-time GPS tracking in a single rugged device. When an alert is raised, the badge shares the wearer’s live location with the Vismo platform so your team, or a monitoring centre, can respond and escalate immediately.
- Panic alert. One-touch SOS that instantly signals for help and shares location.
- Man down. Automatic fall and no-motion detection for when the wearer cannot raise the alarm themselves.
- GPS tracking. Real-time location so responders know exactly where to go.
Alert V2 Bluetooth button
A small, discreet Bluetooth panic button that clips onto clothing, a belt or a bag. Press it to trigger a Red Alert through the
Vismo Locate & Protect app on the paired phone, so a lone worker can call for help without reaching for their handset. It has a long battery life of around three years and a Bluetooth range of about 50 metres, making it a simple, low-cost addition to any lone worker setup.
- Red Alert trigger. Press to raise a Red Alert through the paired phone, hands-free of the handset.
- Around three-year battery. Long-life battery so it is always ready when needed.
- About 50m Bluetooth range. A simple, low-cost add-on for any lone worker app setup.
Key features of our lone worker devices
- Panic alert / red alert. One-touch SOS that signals for help and shares live location.
- Man down detection. Automatic alerts when a worker falls or stops moving.
- GPS tracking. Real-time location for fast, accurate response.
- Two-way response and monitoring. Alerts routed to your team or a monitoring centre for escalation.
- Check-in. Timed check-ins so a missed confirmation raises the alarm.
- Discreet, wearable design. Devices that people will actually carry and use.
How our lone worker devices work with the Vismo platform
Lone worker devices and your duty of care
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, including those who work alone, so far as is reasonably practicable. Providing a suitable lone worker device, backed by monitoring and a clear escalation process, is a practical way to meet that duty and to evidence it, with a record of alerts raised and responses made. For the wider picture, see our
complete employer guide to lone working.
Who uses lone worker devices?
Choosing the right lone worker device
The best lone worker device is the one your people will actually carry and that matches their risk. A discreet badge suits community and customer-facing roles; a Bluetooth button is a simple, low-cost add-on for app users. When comparing lone worker devices, look for man down detection, reliable GPS tracking, a battery life that fits the working pattern, professional monitoring, and a platform that ties alerts, location and escalation together. Vismo can help you match the right device to each team. If your team also works in remote areas beyond mobile coverage, see our
satellite devices.
Lone worker devices FAQ
What is man down detection?
A feature that automatically raises an alarm when the device senses a fall or a lack of movement, so a worker who is injured or unconscious still gets help even if they cannot press the button.
Do I need a device or is an app enough?
It depends on the risk. An app suits lower-risk, phone-carrying roles; a dedicated device or the Alert V2 button suits higher-risk or hands-busy work where a discreet, reliable trigger and man down detection matter.
Is GPS tracking on lone worker devices private?
Vismo’s location features are consent-based and designed for safety, so employees understand when and how their location is shared, typically when an alert is raised or a check-in is missed.
How quickly is an alert acted on?
Alerts and location are delivered in real time to the Vismo Secure Portal and monitoring service, so your team or a monitoring centre can respond and escalate to the emergency services immediately.
Is a lone worker device the same as a panic button?
Not quite. A panic button is pressed to raise the alarm; a lone worker device adds automatic man down detection and GPS tracking on top of that. For the software panic button that turns any smartphone into an SOS device, see our
mobile panic button page.
Protect your lone workers with Vismo
See how the Vismo Lone Worker Badge and Alert V2 button, backed by the Vismo platform, keep your lone workers safe and help you meet your duty of care. Use the enquiry form above to book an exploratory call.
