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Sigtec design and manufacture state-of-the-art mobile information communication systems for hazardous and highly automated industries worldwide.

Client Testimonial

“In an extreme environment as ours, BlueBox does what is says on the tin. Simple to operate and a critical aspect of our emergency preparedness.”

Phil Lewis. IT manager Hess Oil Algerian Sahara

Latest News

Mar 2011: Introducing embedded Tide Level Text-back for river pilots

Mar 2011: Merck upgrade their emergency response and worker safety with BlueBox.

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Providing Critical Communication & Information Solutions

for Automated and Hazardous Industries Worldwide

Call: +353 (0) 21 4633675

safety & efficiency

BlueBox Lone-worker / Man-down solutions

The news media often feature incidents such as chemical leaks or fires that occur on manufacturing and processing plants, which is an indicator of the high level of public interest in safety issues on local production plants. As it is inevitable that accidents will happen the authorities expect management to ensure that protective systems are in place to safeguard both personnel and the environment. Equipping workers with the best portable alarming device is only half the solution. Managing the response to alarms, real or false, in an efficient manor will offer the best return on your investment. Workers must adopt and use the alarm technology before this is possible. Sigtec’s BlueBox technology will automate the response to alarms and events by reporting alarms to responders on or off site, automating the shutdown of plant or equipment and escalation of aged alarms while archiving of events for future reference.

Primary reason for poor take up of personal alarm devices in industry.

Fear factor, “What happens if I set it off by mistake”

Possibly the most common reason why personal alarm devices remain in their chargers. In most cases the choice of technology is to blame. Basic alarm trigger devices will not offer the user much feedback once an alarm is activated, the user has no control on what happens until responders arrive on scene. Therefore the worry of triggering a false alarm remains the primary reason why basic “one way” alarm devices have a poor up take.

No benefit to the user, risk may not be apparent

Unless the risk is apparent, the perceived benefit to a worker may not be obvious, Technology that can offer additional useful features, that would be beneficial on a daily or hourly basis, will drastically increase the technologies acceptance and provide a rapid return on your investment.

The unit is too heavy or uncomfortable to wear

Portable radio based man-down systems in particular tends to be heavy and on the large side, unless the radio is used for general communications purposes, Worker may find the device uncomfortable to wear over a shift.

Forklift truck operators cannot hear when man-down alarm activates

Most personal alarm devices do not include a vibrate function and unless the user can hear the pre-alert tones, an alarm may be triggered with the user being aware. Wearing the device on a belt while sitting can set a tilt activated alarm off in error.

Combining a man-down alarm in a portable phone may be a false economy

Mobile phones are not an ideal platform for man-down monitoring. A phone is primarily a hand-held device, therefore increasing the risk of false alarm activations. Dedicated worn devices that wont require much attention from the user make good alarm devices.

On the other hand, having restricted phone access on a man-down device makes sense.

GSM Lone-worker / Man-down

While a perfect solution does not exist, Sigtec provide two solutions quite different in technology each solution has it advantages.

GSM (Cell-Phone) based solutions exploit extensive GSM coverage provided by many competing mobile phone networks.

GSM lone-worker / man-down offers the following benefits.

One touch emergency Button
Man-down and / or no-motion alarm
Full hand free communication with victim
Voice call, Caller ID, SMS and GPRS alarm reporting
Take and make calls
GPS tracking option
Life-check and remote monitoring
No infrastructure required
Rapid deployment
Works with BlueBox Automated Response

Portable Two-way radio

As radios are commonly used as a means of communications on many industrial manufacturing facilities it makes sense to utilize them to protect personnel. Current Motorola hand-portables are equipped with invaluable health and safety features such as emergency call, lone-worker alarms and man-down . Exploiting these features is a cost effective means of protecting workers and the added benefit of having both voice communications and emergency alarm in a single, compact handset cannot be ignored.

Benefits: