5 signs your workplace needs a staff attack alarm system

A staff safety alarm system enables workers to summon assistance in an emergency or high-risk situation.

Pinpoint’s award-winning systems comprise wearable personal alarms (PITs), which staff can trigger in the event of an incident. When activated, the PITs send signals to receiver units located within the building’s ceiling, which in turn communicate with display devices such as pagers, display units and smartphones, informing colleagues of the exact location and severity of the incident. The process from alarm activation to information display takes just milliseconds, facilitating an immediate response when it is needed most. 

So, does your business need a staff attack alarm? Let’s discuss the warning signs.

This one should be obvious. However, many businesses put off taking action after a violent incident, believing it to be a one-off or for fear that acknowledging the risk will damage the reputation of the organisation. Delaying action signals that staff safety is not a priority and that such behaviour is tolerated.

A pattern or history of abuse toward employees are key indicators that your workplace would benefit from a staff safety alarm. A single incident or attack on staff should serve as a major warning sign that the existing safety protocol is insufficient and greater measures are needed.

Taking swift action by installing a Pinpoint safety alarm system reduces the risks for staff and prevents serious attacks from taking place in the future. Crucially, it sends a clear message that abusive behaviour is not tolerated and that staff safety is your top priority.  

While not physically violent, hostile or aggressive behaviour should act as signs that a staff safety system is needed in your workplace. Verbal abuse can swiftly escalate if not addressed, resulting in a physical assault on your employees.

If you – or your team - anticipate that a violent attack could happen, you should look to install a staff alarm system in your workplace. Doing so not only helps in the event of an attack on staff but can also be used to de-escalate challenging or hostile behaviours.

Pinpoint’s P2 PIT has both an emergency and assistance alarm call, relative to the severity of the incident. Where service users are showcasing aggressive behaviour or being verbally abusive, staff can activate the assistance alarm, causing a response team to intervene and prevent the behaviour from spiralling.

Staff feedback gives you invaluable insight into the working conditions of your frontline employees. Should staff report feeling unsafe in the presence of certain services or regularly request additional help to deal with challenging behaviour, a staff alarm system may be a worthwhile investment. 

High staff turnover and low morale are also indicators that your team does not feel safe at work and that action is needed to protect employees for the long-term success of the business.

The presence of a staff alarm system reassures workers of their safety, instilling them with the confidence to conduct their duties without the threat of abuse. This was the case for the team at Millenium Care, a specialised care facility for people with learning difficulties and complex needs. Here, the addition of the Pinpoint System saw staff secure in the knowledge that they were protected from harm – knowing that their body-worn alarm could summon help instantly empowered workers to care for residents without the threat of abuse.

Staff alarm systems not only protect employees, they also minimise risk to service users.

In certain settings, such as mental health or correctional facilities, service users may be at risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation. Equally, care home residents are at increased risk of falls or accidents. In these cases, the ability to quickly summon support is critical to the safety of the individual.

Should a staff member come across a service user in need of help, they can alert colleagues to the exact location of the situation, triggering an immediate response and providing the necessary support.

In situations where your workplace already has safety measures in place, such as de-escalation training and a zero-tolerance policy toward violence, but abuse towards staff continues, you should consider a staff attack alarm system.

While such protocols can be useful in managing violent outbursts, they are not foolproof. A staff alarm system leverages advanced tech and infrared signals to perform when violent or aggressive behaviour appears – preventing a serious physical assault on workers.

If any of the above resonates with your workplace, a Pinpoint staff attack alarm system can help. Our industry-leading safety alarms equip staff to summon assistance in the event of a high-risk incident, preventing an assault and protecting employees from abuse.

Looking for a staff attack alarm system for your workplace? View our award-winning P2 staff attack system here.