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GEMS Worker Down
Alarm System
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Do you have any staff
working alone?
If a worker should become incapacitated, how long would it take for
someone to determine there was a problem and send help? As companies
continue to seek workforce efficiencies, more workers are finding themselves
alone for extended periods of time. Radio and cellular phone communication
is the standard tool for summoning help, but what if the worker is knocked
unconscious through a fall, suffers a heart attack or lapses into a diabetic
coma?
The GEMS wireless pass alarm system is designed to send for help
automatically should a worker lose consciousness, or summon help if
activated manually by the user. About the size of a cell phone, the unit
gives a warning, then goes into alarm mode after a minute of not registering
any movement. The audible alarm is extremely LOUD. Simultaneously, a
wireless signal is sent to a base station, where a user-recorded
announcement is played, e.g.: "Worker down at southwest lift station -- SEND
HELP".
The GEMS system is also configurable with an auto-dialer that can call up
to three telephone numbers to play the user-recorded message. It can be
ordered with multiple user-specific channels if several workers are
dispersed throughout a facility.
The system has been very well received in the municipal water,
wastewater, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. I have had such success
with this product that I have a demo unit on hand in Grand Rapids should you
wish to see a demonstration of its capabilities.
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| A Credible Scenario |
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The GEMS base
station set up at a continuously-staffed control center or guard
station. Powered by 110 VAC or its rechargeable battery, the base
station can be configured for 2, 4, 8, 16, or a virtually limitless
number of uniquely identifiable, simultaneous users.
Before going out to do volatile
organic compound (VOC) sampling, Steve records an emergency message,
"Attention, worker down in west train yard, SEND HELP!" |
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Per company
policy, Steve clips on his T-Pass II Pass Alarm before heading out by
himself to the rail yard. Here he is collecting VOC readings with his BW
Micro 5 Photoionization Detector (PID). Both the T-Pass II and the PID
are third-party rated Intrinsically Safe.
Steve's feeling some chest pain,
but thinks it's the blue plate special he had for lunch. |
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The chest pains
worsen. Steve stumbles over to a stack of rail ties to try to steady
himself in the wake of his increasing dizziness.
At this point, with the press of a
button on the T-Pass II he could manually send it into alarm, summoning
help. Unfortunately, he's not thinking clearly and does not. |
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Steve collapses in
a deserted rail yard. After lying motionless for 60 seconds, the T-Pass
II emits an extremely loud alarm locally while transmitting a
wireless signal back to the base station. |
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An important note:
had Steve sat down and passed out in an upright position, the T-Pass II
still would have gone into alarm. The T-Pass II does not rely on
orientation to go into alarm; it relies instead on sophisticated
motion-sensing technology. |
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The GEMS base
station startles Kay at the security control desk: "Attention, worker
down in west train yard, SEND HELP!" Kay immediately calls 9-1-1,
followed quickly by the company's in-house rescue team.
The GEMS System's optional
auto-dialer begins calling three pre-programmed telephone numbers for
redundant coverage.
When the first member of the
rescue team reaches the rail yard, he simply follows the warble alarm to
Steve, where he administers First Aid and provides directions to the
ambulance he hears approaching in the distance.
Elapsed time until a first
responder arrives: Under three minutes . How long would it take to
get help to lone workers in your plant? |
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A special thank
you to Dr. Stephen Harris and "Kay". |
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