90 second lone worker response

Employer of more than 4600 people worldwide, Glatfelter demonstrated its proactive approach to lone worker protection with the help of Blackline’s Loner system supplied by Castle Group.

Within the water treatment and the silk cutting departments of Glatfelter’s Lydney site, safety advisor Pete Ashworth noted that worker incidents in these locations had the potential to go unseen for a significant time before assistance could be provided. Castle Group was called upon to implement Blackline’s Loner system, a rugged mobile phone sized device which clips to a person’s belt.

Glatfelter assigned the devices to its workers in these locations, so that incidents including falls, no motion activity, emergency alarms and silent alarms are equipped to ensure assistance can be provided as soon as it’s required.

Glatfelter decided to test the functionality of their new system by carrying out a mock scenario of an incident in one of the locations concerned. A fall was staged and efforts were made to mask the mock scenario with torn clothing and fake wounds applied using makeup. The Loner signalled for help after 10 seconds, displaying the Fall Alarm and an exact location in the management portal. Within 90 seconds the first responder arrived to provide emergency assistance.

Pete Ashworth said: “Early on there may have been some resistance and some concern that ‘big brother’ was watching, but our team members understand that working alone in the early morning, dark hours or in un-populated areas of the facility makes them vulnerable.”

The Loner system comprises of the devices, optional location beacons for indoor applications with low signal, a dedicated online portal which manages and personalises your devices, and an Alarm Receiving Centre with 24/7 operation to manage your portal.