App protects lone workers when operating in areas of danger

Suez Advanced Solutions UK is one of the entities forming the SUEZ Group that specialises in smart and environmental solutions. SUEZ is a specialist in water network services, developing wastewater treatment solutions that are adapted to local conditions, meet health standards, and protect water resources and biodiversity. They also provide water utility clients with digital solutions such as those for monitoring the condition of their network systems and smart metering. Wastewater sampling technicians at SUEZ often travel to wastewater treatment sites across the UK to obtain water samples. These sites are often unmanned, remote and carry a range of risks to the lone workers. The risks associated with this type of work can include working at heights, exposure to large bodies of open water or sludge pits, as well as slips, trips, and falls.

Previously, SUEZ used a peer-to-peer messaging system to communicate with their lone workers. This came with issues such as delays, limited contact and periods of low signal when vital contact or emergency services may have been needed. Another issue that SUEZ faced was the lack of visibility awareness of a line worker’s location and status, should they ever become unresponsive. These issued led to SUEZ needing a system that was more robust and reliable.

SUEZ found that switching to the StaySafe app and cloud-based monitoring service helped to safeguard workers who were situated at remote locations or unmanned sites. The StaySafe solution was also easier for lone workers to use and manage. StaySafe is a smartphone app and cloud-based monitoring service that monitors employee location via GPS or satellite while they are at work and alerts their employer if they do not check in within a specified time. The app offers a range of functions including panic button, check-in, man-down and duress alerts. SUEZ now manages its hub and escalation procedures in-house, giving them complete control and visibility.

With the way that most people now go about their day-to-day lives, using an app on a mobile device has proven to be a more effective and simpler way for SUEZ to help protect its lone workers. Habitual and protective behaviour towards mobile phones means that the chance of people losing or breaking them is low, and this results in the app being more accessible and reliable.

“We have found people’s day-to-day behaviour is very strongly linked to their mobile phones so moving the provision of lone working monitoring from a dongle device to a mobile phone has been very effective,” said Lidia Aleksinska, QHSE Leader at SUEZ Smart & Environmental.

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