26.02.2019, 20:40
Applying New Technology to a Very Old Problem
UK integrated services provider Axis Group has used technology designed to protect lone-workers to overcome barriers to traditional emergency alarms at the iconic Old Spitalfields Market (OSM) in London.
The groundbreaking solution utilises blue-tooth and WiFi connected devices originally developed by Pick Protection for the lone-worker market to overcome physical and budgetary constraints associated with the installation of a wired emergency alarm solution.
The market has occupied its current site since King Charles I granted a licence for the sale of flesh, fowl and roots at Spittle Fields in 1638. Many of its more than 45 retail units occupy Grade II listed buildings and the Pick Protection platform was reconfigured to alert OSM’s on-site concierge about situations and incidents requiring further investigation or attendance by a security officer at the press of a button. The system also allows employees direct access to the concierge via an App, and further allows PC-based monitoring, identification of an employee’s exact location via a visual tracker map, and two-way communication using dedicated mobile phone numbers.
The concierge office is manned by UK Security Industry Authority (SIA) qualified operatives.
Rebecca Pick, CEO of Pick Protection, says OSM is “raising the bar” in employee safety.
Paul Davies, Head of Real Estate and Facilities at OSM Limited which operates the site, says the system provides fast, intelligent and flexible lone worker support:
“We are extremely pleased that our retailers and their employees working in the market have been given this additional level of safety. We have worked closely with Axis Group and Pick Protection to ensure we have implemented the system properly. While the market contains a great deal of high-value stock, it is the employees who are our most valuable asset”, before adding he “strongly believes” the technology is enhancing the company’s ability to deliver its duty of care towards workers.
