GPS tracking device

The risks for lone workers in remote locations are significantly higher than for staff working in pairs or teams. StaySafe GPS tracking devices provide a reliable way of communicating with control hubs and provide alerts about dangers experienced by lone workers wherever they are.

Employers have a duty of care to anyone working alone which includes being able to provide assistance when danger arises. By providing a means of calling or signalling for help, employers can help to keep their lone workers safe, and to set up systems for providing support as quickly as possible. 

See more about keeping lone workers safe in low and no signal areas.

Satellite trackers are a means of communication via an orbiting satellite using GPS (Global Positioning System). They perform in a similar way to mobile phones, but are not dependent on being in range of a mobile phone network. 

Mobile phone coverage is affected by your proximity to a mobile phone mast, and by physical obstructions such as buildings, hills and mountains. Signal is also likely to be weak or non-existent if working underground, and when travelling users may go in and out of signal. The weather also has a bearing on the strength of signal, particularly in heavy rain or snow. Even in a relatively smaller countries, there can remain significant areas where no signal is available. 

Our satellite trackers by contrast work anywhere in the world. With 100% global coverage, users are able to to text, call and, most importantly, to send and receive data to control hubs and emergency systems.

Satellite communications take place via a continuous wave sent by a network of orbiting satellite using GPS. The wavelength used by the satellites to communicate with a GPS device determines its position accurately, and allows transmission and reception of data and messages. 

Read more about lone worker tracking systems.

Lone workers, with no help available from colleagues at their side, need at all times to be able to send alerts for help. The speed with which an alert is sent and acted upon by support teams is critical in serious safety situations. Even when the threat of injury or danger is less, the ability to call for help is essential for the well-being of employees. 

GPS trackers also provide accurate data for monitoring employee movements which can be tracked by controllers. Irregular movement, or non-movement, can indicate problems, and, with the right systems in place, the control centre can check with the remote worker that all is well and act accordingly.

When switched on, our GPS tracker devices use the Iridium network of cross-linked satellites which provide 100% coverage throughout the globe to give the exact location of workers. The data can be monitored at our cloud-based hub. 

Our device includes a panic button to send alerts when lone workers are in danger and in need of help. The hand-held appliance can also be used as an accurate navigation aid, using the in-built compass, mapping and breadcrumb capabilities. A further useful safety function is the provision of weather reports.

The device batteries have a life of 100 hours if used for continual tracking, or 30 days if in power saving mode. They can be easily reassigned to other team members, and can be worn on a lanyard, attached to clothing or to a vehicle dashboard. Importantly too they are particularly rugged and can withstand the rigours of bad weather and use in challenging environments.

The latest versions of almost all mainstream smartphone operating systems include GPS capabilities which can be turned on or off. Mobile phones are able to store a location at any point in time and communicate it to a monitoring hub or to another mobile device or office based computer. Communications are through SMS, GPRS, Wi-Fi or a 3G/4G/5G connection.

The StaySafe app is a GPS tracking app which is easily installed on mobile phones, and provides the full range of GPS connectivity. Our hub operates with GPS communications alongside mobile network communications, so control systems for both technologies can run seamlessly side by side.

GPS enabled smart phones offer much of the same functionality as our purpose-made GPS tracker devices, but it is important to recognise that smartphones are made to operate only in normal conditions. Designed to appeal to consumer markets, they are suitable for most everyday use cases, but they are not produced for tough environments.

StaySafe GPS trackers come with full satellite tracking functionality in place. The devices are also built to withstand extreme weather and damp. They won’t be damaged if dropped and are easy to handle even when users are under stress or in difficult situations. 

For lone workers in very remote places, a GPS tracking device may well be the best option.