As a function of an emergency call system, an unintentional personal alarm can automatically trigger a call for help as soon as an employee is no longer able to act. This type of Features can save lives, especially in dangerous working environments.
The personal alarm is activated either by a fall, immobility, tilted position or the absence of confirmation of the person's well-being, without the need for manual activation.
An activated or triggered alarm is then transmitted to a receiving center where it is processed by the relevant emergency contacts. In this article, you will learn how these systems work and what advantages they offer.
The most important facts in brief
✓ As a function of an emergency system, automatic personal alarms can be activated in critical situations.
✓ The emergency systems transmit the personal alarm to a receiving center and enable a quick response to the emergency situation by precisely determining the location.
✓ The main areas of application for such personal alarm systems are workplaces where employees work at individual workstations.
What is an unintentional personal alarm?
An unintentional personal alarm, also known as an automatic alarm or dead man's switch, is a function that automatically sends an emergency signal under certain conditions, such as immobility or a fall. The conditions that trigger an automatic personal alarm include, for example, a fall, an inclined position, immobility or a lack of response or confirmation from the user.
In contrast to manual alarms, which require a conscious triggering and therefore a reaction from a user, manual personal alarm systems are triggered automatically. The personal alarm is activated manually by deliberately pressing an emergency signal device, which triggers an optical and acoustic signal in the reception center.
The alarm can be activated, for example, by sensors in a device that detect specific emergency situations, such as exceeding a set angle of inclination, an impact or even immobility, as in the case of the rest alarm. This automatic triggering is particularly important in situations in which the person concerned is unable to act, for example in the event of unconsciousness. In these cases, the stored emergency contacts are informed by a transmitted emergency signal.
Precise information on the location of the person concerned is determined and transmitted using GPS or other positioning technologies. The transmission of the exact position makes it possible to react immediately in an emergency, even if the employee concerned is no longer able to trigger an emergency themselves. Modern indoor positioning systems can also determine the exact location of the person concerned inside buildings.
Advantages of the voluntary personal alarm
Automatic personal alarm systems offer numerous advantages over manual ones and therefore make a significant contribution to safety in the workplace. The decisive advantage lies in the automatic activation: if the person concerned can no longer act independently, an emergency does not go unnoticed thanks to the automatic alarm.
The personal alarm can be triggered in various ways, for example by a fall or immobility. Most of the time, non-intentional alarms occur in combination with intentional alarms, so that both manual and automatic emergency messages are possible.
Areas of application for voluntary personal alarms
Emergency systems with automatic personal alarm systems are used in numerous work areas, especially in environments with a certain level of risk. They are an essential protective measure, as they automatically trigger an alarm in emergency situations and thus quickly set the rescue chain in motion.
A particularly important area of application for automatic personal alarm systems is lone working, as there is no immediate help available from staff in emergencies. In such situations, automatic personal alarms can be crucial. The choice and implementation of these systems should be tailored to the specific working conditions and potential hazards.
In addition to the direct protective function, these systems also contribute to the general safety culture in the workplace. They give employees a greater sense of safety, which has a positive effect on motivation and commitment. This benefits not only the employees, but also the company through increased productivity and efficiency. Overall, investing in an emergency system with an automatic personal alarm is a sensible investment in occupational safety and the well-being of employees.
Comparison: Will-dependent vs. will-independent personal alarm
The difference between volitional and non-volitional personal alarms lies in the type of activation. Will-dependent personal alarms require a conscious action by the person concerned, typically the pressing of a button or button to trigger the alarm. This assumes that the person is awake and able to activate the alarm themselves.
In contrast, non-intentional alarms are triggered automatically as soon as certain critical conditions occur. The decision to use an intentional or non-intentional alarm depends on the risk level of the working environment and the likelihood of an emergency.
The choice between volitional and non-volitional Features depends heavily on the specific working conditions and potential hazards. Volitional alarms are particularly useful in situations where the person concerned is still capable of acting and can decide for themselves when an alarm is triggered. This is often the case in areas where there is a risk of attack or assault, such as in social settings. Here, a voluntary alarm can summon help quickly and specifically by pressing an emergency signal button.
In contrast to this, alarms that are independent of will are ideal for situations in which the person concerned is unable to act, for example in the event of accidents or sudden health problems.
Legal requirements and standards
Personal emergency signal systems (PNA), which are a legally compliant protective measure, especially when working alone, should at least be equipped with an automatic personal alarm. This ensures that an emergency does not go unnoticed, even if the person concerned is unable to make an emergency call. Examples of this are position, rest or time alarms, which are triggered automatically under certain conditions such as immobility or a fall.
PNA 11, which have been developed in accordance with DIN VDE V 0825-1, are particularly suitable for risky lone working and must meet the requirements of DGUV regulation 112-139. These standards and specifications ensure that the systems meet the highest safety standards and work reliably in emergencies. Even if the use of untested systems is not prohibited by law, the employer is responsible for ensuring that the installed systems are suitable.
Conclusion
Unintentional personal alarms offer an effective solution for modern occupational safety. They significantly increase the safety of employees by automatically triggering alarms and enabling rapid assistance in emergency situations. The various types offer safety in a wide range of applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is an unintentional personal alarm?
An unintentional personal alarm is a function in an emergency system that automatically triggers an alarm in critical situations, such as a fall or immobility. This enables rapid assistance in an emergency, even if the person is no longer able to call for help themselves.
What is a personal emergency signal system (PNA)?
A personal emergency signal system (PNA) is a technical emergency system that often has both intentional and non-intentional personal alarms as a function. These systems consist of personal emergency signal devices (PNG) and a personal emergency signal receiving center (PNEZ), which work together to trigger alarms quickly and reliably in emergencies.
How a personal emergency signal system (PNA) works:
1. triggering of personal emergency signals by manual or voluntary triggering
2. transmission of the alarm signals to the PNEZ
3. processing and evaluating the alarm signals to initiate assistance measures
What are the advantages of voluntary personal alarms?
The benefit of personal alarms that are independent of will is that they also work if the person concerned is unable to make a call for help. This is particularly important in situations in which the person is unable to act, for example in the event of unconsciousness or accidents. They also ensure fast response times and offer versatile alarm types for various emergency scenarios.
In which areas are automatic personal alarms used?
Self-contained personal alarms are mainly used when working alone in a certain hazardous area. They are particularly useful in environments where the person concerned cannot get immediate help from colleagues, such as in industry, the care sector or the justice system.
