When a worker can’t raise an alarm, a safety policy is just a document. Across Australia and New Zealand, relying solely on Telstra’s cellular coverage for lone worker tracking creates a critical vulnerability – particularly in industries operating in remote areas. The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (AU) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (NZ) place a clear duty on PCBUs to ensure the health and safety of their workers, and that includes having reliable communication systems in place, regardless of location.
Compliance Demands More Than Just a Mobile Signal
Australian and New Zealand WHS legislation requires employers to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. This extends to providing workers with the means to call for help in an emergency, even when outside cellular coverage. A mobile phone app dependent on Telstra’s network simply isn’t sufficient when workers are operating in areas with limited or no service.
The Illusion of Safety: Apps, PLBs, and Unmonitored Devices
What we consistently see is organisations believing a mobile phone app or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is enough. Mobile phone apps are reliant on cellular coverage and are not accessible in a fast, unexpected emergency. PLBs are emergency beacons only – they raise a distress signal, but lack the check-in capabilities, No-Motion Alerts, and two-way communication vital for proactive lone worker safety. This gap between perceived protection and actual protection creates significant liability exposure.
Genuine Protection: Satellite Connectivity and 24/7 Monitoring
True lone worker protection requires a solution that operates independently of cellular networks. Satellite devices, like those utilising the Iridium network, provide coverage across Australia and New Zealand, even in the most remote locations. Crucially, this technology must be connected to a 24/7 professional monitoring centre capable of responding to alerts and escalating assistance when needed. A device alone is not enough; it’s the combination of technology and a monitored response that delivers genuine safety.
Guardian Angel Safety: Turning Policy Into Real Protection
For over 12 years, Guardian Angel Safety has been designing, implementing, and monitoring lone worker protection systems across Australia and New Zealand. We provide a device-agnostic approach, focusing on connecting satellite-connected devices to our 24/7 professional monitoring centre, ensuring your workers are protected, and your organisation is compliant – no matter where the job takes them. We understand the unique challenges of remote work and deliver solutions that truly safeguard your team.
Content prepared by Guardian Angel Safety — lone and remote worker protection across Australia and New Zealand.