Lone Worker Safety: How Smart Communications Are Redefining Duty of Care
In industries from facilities management and utilities to healthcare and security, lone workers are a vital part of everyday operations. But working alone comes with unique risks – from accidents in isolated areas to delayed emergency response.
For Australian employers, ensuring the safety of lone workers is not only a moral responsibility but also a legal duty of care under workplace health and safety legislation.
Today, smart communications technology is transforming how organisations meet this duty, creating safer, more connected work environments.
The Risks of Working Alone
Lone workers face challenges that traditional safety measures often fail to address:
Limited communication when operating in remote or shielded areas like basements, rooftops, or plant rooms.
Delayed emergency response if an incident occurs and the worker cannot call for help.
Inconsistent monitoring when supervisors cannot maintain visual contact.
Without reliable connectivity, even the best safety policies can fall short when they are needed most.
Connectivity as a Safety Net
Smart communications infrastructure closes the gap between policy and protection.
Key technologies include:
Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)
DAS ensures strong, consistent mobile coverage throughout a facility – including basements, stairwells, and lift shafts. With coverage blackspots eliminated, lone workers can call for assistance instantly, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Private 5G Networks
Private 5G takes safety a step further. With ultra-low latency and high bandwidth, private 5G supports real-time alerts, location tracking, and direct communication between workers and control rooms, even in mission-critical situations.
IoT Wearables and Sensors
Connected wearables, such as smart badges or fall-detection devices, can automatically send alerts if a worker stops moving, suffers a fall, or enters a hazardous zone.
When integrated with DAS or private 5G, these devices provide continuous monitoring without relying on manual check-ins.
Meeting Australia’s Duty of Care Obligations
Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, employers must take all reasonable steps to keep employees safe, including those working alone.
Smart communications technologies demonstrate proactive compliance by:
Reducing response times during emergencies.
Providing real-time location data for faster assistance.
Offering a documented, auditable trail of safety measures.
Beyond Compliance: Building a Culture of Care
While legislation provides the framework, technology enables a deeper commitment to employee wellbeing.
By investing in reliable connectivity, organisations signal to staff that their safety is a core value, not just a regulatory requirement. This strengthens trust, improves morale, and helps retain skilled workers in competitive industries.
PMT’s Role in Protecting Lone Workers
At PMT Communications, we design and deploy solutions that integrate DAS, private 5G, and IoT to create always-connected environments.
Whether it’s a high-rise commercial tower, a hospital, or a utilities plant, we help organisations deliver on their duty of care – ensuring lone workers are protected, heard, and never truly alone.
At PMT Communications, we’re helping Australia’s data centres stay connected, safe, and future-ready with tailored solutions in DAS, IoT, and private 5G. By building a foundation of reliable connectivity, data centres can deliver more than uptime – they can deliver confidence.