Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

An initial pilot trial of 40 workers, anticipated to rise to 200, are to be equipped with standard mobile phones connected to BT’s Featurenet 1000 service, which creates a virtual private network.

On arriving at a remote site, workers send a ‘lone worker’ status message, speak their location and so start a timer which activates a control centre alarm should it reach zero. Workers are also able to request immediate help, should they require it.

“AWG has an enviable safety track record,” says BTC Lumina’s Ged Holmes. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t work to introduce new systems that make the working environment even safer.”

On a typical working day, each AWG trialist inspects up to 20 sites with each on-site message expected to involve a 30-second call and left site messages estimated at 15 seconds.

“Status messaging can improve safety across a whole host of potentially hazardous occupations including industrial workers, as in this trial, the emergency services and others who may feel vulnerable working alone,” said Holmes.

Both AWG and BTC Lumina anticipate a successful trial and possible roll-out across further area’s of the company.