TwiceTouch® safety solutions align with a comprehensive safety legislation for lone workers; a set of regulations designed to protect this specific category of workers in their workplaces.
Among these solutions are the man-down device such as the TwiceTouch Easy Badge® and the TwiceTouch Android Man-Down APP® , which allow sending a man-down alert when a lone worker needs assistance.
As legislation does not define the role of a “lone worker”, we provide an introductory explanation to identify the subjects to whom the following legislation applies.
Lone workers are those who, either routinely or exceptionally, find themselves working in solitude without the presence of others who could assist in an emergency. Lone workers include those performing maintenance alone, for example, in an isolated facility, an empty building like a temporarily vacant home, or offices without other employees present. Others may include workers on large construction sites or in vast warehouses who, despite not being isolated, are too far from colleagues to guarantee immediate assistance in an emergency.
Examples include maintenance personnel, cleaners, night-shift workers, security guards, etc.
The main legislative reference for the protection of lone workers can be found in the D.LGS. 81/2008, the “Comprehensive Safety Act“. While there are no specific obligations for man-down systems, Article 15 outlines employer responsibilities to a) assess all risks to health and safety, b) plan prevention, c) eliminate risks, and where this is not possible, minimize them as far as technically feasible.
This includes ensuring protection for this particular category of lone workers, with references to Articles 43 and 45 of D.LGS. 81/2008 for further guidance on handling these situations.
1. For the fulfillment of the obligations under Article 18, paragraph 1, letter t), the employer:
a) organizes the necessary arrangements with public services competent in first aid, rescue, fire fighting, and emergency management;
b) appoints workers in advance as per Article 18, paragraph 1, letter b);
c) informs all workers exposed to a serious and immediate danger about the prepared measures and the behaviors to adopt;
d) plans interventions, takes measures, and gives instructions to ensure that workers can stop their activity or move to safety in case of serious and immediate danger that cannot be avoided;
e) adopts measures to ensure that any worker, in case of serious and immediate danger to their safety or others’ safety and if unable to contact their immediate superior, can take measures to mitigate the danger based on their knowledge and the available technical means;
e-bis) ensures the presence of fire-extinguishing means suitable for the class of fire and risk level on the workplace, considering the conditions under which they might be used. This includes fixed extinguishing installations, whether manual or automatic, as identified in the risk assessment.
2. When making appointments under paragraph 1, letter b), the employer considers the size and specific risks of the company or production unit, according to criteria defined in the decrees under Article 46.
3. Workers cannot refuse appointments without justified reason. They must be trained, sufficient in number, and equipped adequately considering the size and specific risks of the company or production unit.
4. Unless justified exceptions exist, the employer must avoid asking workers to resume their activity in a hazardous situation that persists as an immediate and severe danger.
1. The employer, considering the nature of the activity and the size of the company or production unit, consulting the designated medical officer where applicable, must take the necessary measures regarding first aid and emergency medical assistance. This includes arrangements with external services for the transportation of injured workers.
2. The minimum requirements for first aid equipment, personnel qualifications, and their training, determined by the nature of the activity, number of employees, and risk factors, are outlined in Ministerial Decree 15 July 2003, No. 388, and subsequent updates approved by the Standing Conference for the relations between the State, Regions, and Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano.
3. Specific applications in the railway sector are defined through ministerial decrees, approved by the Standing Conference, implementing the provisions of Ministerial Decree 15 July 2003, No. 388, and its amendments.
Article 2, paragraph 5 states: “In companies or production units where workers perform their activities in isolated locations, distinct from the company site or production unit, the employer is required to provide them with the first aid kit specified in the Annex 2 of this decree, and a suitable means of communication to connect with the company to quickly activate the emergency services of the National Health System.”
This highlights the legislator’s intention, through lone worker regulations, to protect isolated workers with a dedicated system ensuring prompt intervention in emergencies.
Additional specific documentation has been produced by industry associations.
One notable document is titled “Health and Safety of the Lone Worker,” published by the RSPP Italia Community, which provides an in-depth analysis of the aforementioned decree for this particular category of workers.
For more information, you can download it here.
The document concludes that providing lone workers with a man-down device is not only a safeguard for at-risk workers but also a protective measure for the employer.
To enhance lone worker safety, INAIL has introduced tariff reduction incentives for companies that implement “man-down” detection systems.
The OT/23 2023 model is now online. In section F1, companies can declare that they have equipped their workers, whose roles involve lone work, with “man-down” detection systems.
To implement this measure, the “man-down” detection systems must have been provided to all workers performing lone work.
Required documentation includes:
In this regard, the TwiceTouch Easy Badge and the TwiceTouch Man-Down APP qualify as man-down sensors for lone work risk prevention.
CERTIFICATION ISO 9001:2015
Our company has obtained ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification, for:
“Design and development of integrated systems and hardware and software solutions, both standard and customized, based on GNSS and radiofrequency technology, for mobile solutions and safety of lone workers“.
