Lone Worker Protection via Smartphone

A man down alarm (also called inactivity alarm or non-movement alert) automatically detects when a lone worker has stopped responding. COREDINATE's man down alarm works by prompting the worker at configurable intervals to confirm they are OK. If they do not respond, a pre-alarm sounds with vibration and a notification. If confirmation is still missing, the full alarm triggers: an automatic voice call to the designated contact, the GPS position is shown on the portal map, and an audible alarm sounds on the device to help locate the worker.

The automatic man down alarm and the in-app SOS button work on any Android or iOS smartphone. For the dedicated hardware emergency button and full certified compliance, you need a compatible Crosscall smartphone (e.g., CORE M6 or X5). The Crosscall is IP68-rated, drop-resistant, and purpose-built for field work — it functions as both a rugged lone worker device and a full smartphone running the COREDINATE app.

Most lone worker solutions are single-purpose tools — they monitor your workers' safety but nothing else. COREDINATE is a complete security operations platform: guard tour management with NFC checkpoint scanning, digital logbook, shift scheduling, GPS tracking, task management, key management, and incident reporting — with lone worker protection built in. Security companies don't need to pay for two separate systems or train staff on two apps.

COREDINATE is certified to DIN V VDE V0825-11, the German standard for personal emergency signal systems, when used with a compatible Crosscall smartphone. This standard covers alarm activation, pre-alarm procedures, signal transmission, and response verification. The platform also supports ISO 45001 occupational health and safety compliance through auditable safety routines and documented alarm histories.

The pre-alarm and audible alarm still trigger locally on the device — regardless of connectivity. The GPS position is captured at the last known location. Once the phone reconnects, the alarm notification is transmitted to the designated contacts. COREDINATE's app stores all data locally for 4-5 days and syncs automatically when connectivity returns. For environments with persistent dead zones, configure the check-in interval to cover the expected duration without signal.

In the UK, lone worker protection equipment is a deductible business expense under health and safety compliance. Some industry insurers also offer premium reductions for organisations with demonstrable lone worker safety measures — check with your provider. Lone worker protection is not optional: the HSE expects employers to implement appropriate measures wherever the risk assessment identifies elevated danger.

The automatic man down alarm has a built-in pre-alarm phase: the app shows a notification and vibrates. The worker simply taps to confirm they are OK. Only if no confirmation is received does the full alarm trigger. This design minimises false alarms while still ensuring genuine emergencies are detected and escalated immediately.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must assess risks specific to lone working. This includes: identifying hazardous lone work scenarios (night shifts, remote sites, public-facing roles), evaluating the likelihood and severity of incidents, and defining control measures — including communication systems such as man down alarms, check-in procedures, and escalation protocols. COREDINATE's automatic lone worker monitoring, GPS tracking, and documented alarm history support compliance with these requirements.

In the UK, employees can raise concerns about lone working under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 if they believe the risk has not been adequately assessed or mitigated. The employer's duty of care requires a lone working risk assessment and appropriate control measures. If those measures — such as a man down alarm, regular check-ins, and emergency escalation — are in place, the employer has met their obligation. In practice, equipping lone workers with a reliable safety system like COREDINATE addresses the core concern: that help will arrive even if the worker cannot call for it.