In the industrial environment, lone working exposes employees to numerous dangers. Indeed, it is not uncommon for certain employees working on an industrial site to operate completely autonomously, including in high-risk environments. In these situations, the consequences can be severe: both for the worker, alone and directly exposed to danger, and for the employer, who is held liable if they fail in their duty of protection.
Thus, lone worker protection (LWP) in industry becomes a central issue for companies whose employees are involved in tasks to be carried out without any supervision.
Key figures on lone working in industry and maintenance
In France, 43% of serious non-fatal workplace accidents involve lone working situations, even though this working practice represents only about 10% of roles. Furthermore, 80% of fatal accidents occur without witnesses, highlighting the importance of detection and alert devices that enable rapid intervention.
43%
of serious non-fatal workplace accidents involve lone working situations
80%
of fatal accidents occur without witnesses
15 minutes
of additional delay results in the loss of one month of life expectancy, in the event of a stroke
In France, 43% of serious non-fatal workplace accidents involve lone working situations, even though this working arrangement accounts for only about 10% of roles. Furthermore, 80% of fatal accidents occur without a witness, highlighting the importance of detection and alert devices that enable rapid intervention.
It is clear that this type of role is inherently more dangerous, particularly when carried out in a hazardous environment. Moreover, when an incident occurs, the consequences are often worsened by the emergency response time, a determining factor in the severity of the physical harm sustained.
For example, in the case of a stroke, an additional 15 minutes of delay results in the loss of one month of life expectancy. This simple figure illustrates the extent to which the speed of detection and emergency response can mean the difference between a favourable outcome and a tragedy.
The specifics of the industrial environment further increase this vulnerability for operatives and workers: extreme temperatures, working at height, handling machinery or hazardous substances, flammable, explosive, or confined areas... Every intervention without direct supervision carries a high potential for danger.
Risks to lone workers in industry
The risks faced by operatives working alone in industry and maintenance are numerous:
Physical and mechanical risks
Related to falls, collisions, or a machine malfunction
Chemical and thermal risks
Caused by exposure to toxic products, fumes, or extreme temperatures
Electrical risks
During interventions on live electrical installations
Psychosocial risks
such as increased stress or loss of vigilance due to isolation
The risks faced by lone workers are not limited to physical dangers. What makes these situations dangerous is the lack of direct assistance: a fall can immobilise an operator for many minutes, and gas inhalation can lead to a loss of consciousness even before an alert is triggered. In this type of industrial environment, it is the combination of risks and isolation that endangers operatives.
Without the ability for an operative to signal their distress, the health consequences of an accident are likely to be more severe if rescue is delayed. Response time indeed plays a significant role in the severity of the health damage caused by an accident.
What does the French Labour Code say?
The protection of lone workers falls under the general safety obligation imposed on the employer. The French Labour Code does not directly define the concept of a 'lone worker', but it clearly states that it is the company's responsibility to take prevention and rescue measures to protect its lone workers:
Article L. 4121-1 specifies that:
“The employer takes the necessary measures to ensure the safety and protect the physical and mental health of workers.”
More specifically, under French Labour Code Article R. 4543-19, it is stipulated that:
“A lone worker must be able to report any distress situation and be rescued as quickly as possible.”
This article therefore requires the employer to implement all necessary means to enable a rapid and effective alert in the event of an incident, particularly on high-risk industrial sites.
Penalties for non-compliance with the Labour Code can range from a simple fine to heavy prison sentences.
Prevention measures to protect workers in the industrial sector
The important role of prevention in addressing lone worker risks
Lone worker protection in the industrial sector also relies on a structured prevention approach defined by the Labour Code. The company ensures it limits situations of total isolation, provides remote supervision, and prepares a rapid intervention plan known to everyone.
Existing lone worker protection solutions in the industrial sector
To effectively meet protection obligations, companies use several types of equipment and safety solutions:
Lone worker alarm devices
(Lone Worker Protection / Lone Worker Alarm Device). They allow lone workers to trigger a manual alert (SOS button) or an automatic one (loss of verticality detection, prolonged immobility). Some systems even integrate outdoor and indoor geolocation to facilitate and speed up the emergency response.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Helmet, gloves, harness…
These are all the equipment that effectively respond to identified hazards. Their compliance and actual use must be verified by the company.
ATEX devices (Explosive Atmospheres)
In certain environments where there is a risk of explosion (chemical plants, refineries…), the electronic devices used (including lone worker alarm devices) must be ATEX certified, meaning they are designed to prevent any sparks or heating that could trigger an explosion.
- Thus, regulations require not only precisely identifying lone working situations, but also providing a technical and organisational response. In industrial environments, this often involves the use of a lone worker alarm device, wearing PPE, and complying with standards and procedures specific to each company and its challenges.
Our solution tailored to industrial environments
What is the Safeguard Lone Worker Protection solution?
The Sysnav Safeguard Lone Worker Protection solution is designed to guarantee the safety of lone workers in industrial environments, even the most demanding ones. Its lone worker alarm device, worn on the leg, combines ergonomics and comfort so as not to hinder operators in their daily tasks. Compatible with various communication networks, it ensures reliable transmission of alerts, even in complex environments.
Key advantages tailored to industrial constraints:
- Ultra-precise location: indoor and outdoor tracking, with exact floor detection.
- Dead zone coverage: optimal safety across the entire site, even in difficult areas.
- Ergonomics and comfort: discreet to wear and adapted to operators' movements.
- Alert reliability: reduction of false alerts for enhanced safety.
- Adapted to existing networks: optimal operation on the site's communication infrastructures.
Thanks to these features, the Safeguard lone worker device effectively protects lone workers, while meeting the specific constraints of industrial environments. The solution combines safety, practicality, and reliability for complete site coverage.
Why is the precise location of a lone worker in distress important?
Because every minute matters in the event of an incident, the fastest possible response is absolutely essential to limit the impact of the accident.
Precise location is key information that enables a rapid response. The unique, patented technology of the Safeguard lone worker alarm device guarantees this location tracking even in the most complex environments (basements, indoors, etc.). Furthermore, our internationally recognised technology is also used and proven in operational use cases by firefighters.
Why cover dead zones?
To ensure optimal safety for lone workers, it must be comprehensive. In the event of an incident in a dead zone, no alert data can be transmitted. Without an alert transmission, the delay in responding to the worker significantly increases the health risks. This is why we offer to cover the dead zones on your site with LoRaWAN, guaranteeing the protection of your workers anywhere on the site, at all times.
Precise location of the lone worker
Dead zone coverage
Client case studies in the industrial sector
Sysnav's lone worker device is perfectly suited to maintenance activities or industrial sites, even the most complex ones. The system has been designed to operate in the most extreme conditions and on sites presenting challenges related to size and lack of network coverage.
More information about Lone Worker Protection (LWP) and Alarm Devices:
Frequently asked questions
What are the specific risks in the industrial sector?
These risks are even greater when the lone worker operates without direct supervision: any incident can quickly have severe consequences if no one can report distress situations.
Is it possible to work alone in a factory?
How to choose a lone worker alarm device suitable for an industrial environment?
The main selection criteria are:
- The wearing method (so as not to hinder the operators)
- Geolocation capability outdoors, indoors, and in basements
- Coverage of no-coverage areas (dead zones)
- The configuration of alert escalation chains (number of managers who can be registered, etc.)
Finally, it is imperative that lone workers are included in the selection process to foster buy-in for the device. This is the best way for employers and HSE managers to ensure the solution is successfully adopted and correctly used.