SoloProtect reports that it has become the first lone worker management provider to be audited and approved by the NSI (National Security Inspectorate) against the updated version of the British Standard BS 8484.
Published in August 2016, BS 8484:2016 is the latest version of the code of practice for lone worker services. The Sheffield-based lone worker company – its head office by the M1, pictured – makes the Identicom lone worker device in the UK and manages its clients’ lone workers through its lone worker dedicated, EN 50518 accredited Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).
The standard BS 8484:2016 is the most detailed version yet, and supersedes BS 8484:2011, which will be withdrawn on February 28, 2017.
SoloProtect were previously approved against BS 8484:2011. On November 2, the company passed the audit and became accredited to BS 8484:2016 for NSI Guarding Gold and ARC Gold.
The firm describes the reissue of BS 8484 as key in helping specifiers benchmark a quality solution, and argues it will drive suppliers to provide greater transparency, a better service and provide more data for emergency services handling a genuine ‘Red Alert’.
The standard also covers level of service provision across all areas – including the organisation’s structure and governance, the lone worker device or application, and the ARC supporting the lone worker alarms. A new section on ‘end to end’ service goes into how the supplier defines the interplay of how elements of their service.
Only BS 8484 approved suppliers can escalate a lone worker alarm to the police via a URN (Unique Reference Number). Police can issue a URN to the ARC, which allows the latter to request a Level 1 – Priority Response on behalf of a lone worker, where appropriate; this is basically a speed dial from an ARC, into a specific police force control room, which sidesteps the central 999 system – saving time during a ‘Red Alert’.
The updated standard outlines the required process an ARC should follow during a genuine ‘Red Alert’. This includes guidelines that any authorised device or app, from the initial button press to the alarm connection at the ARC, achieves an effective activation message and call, within 30 seconds. All suppliers will now be required to report a number of ARC statistics to their customers on a monthly basis.
Craig Swallow, Managing Director of SoloProtect UK said: ‘Being audited and accredited against BS 8484:2016 is really important step for credible lone worker suppliers in the UK. We’re delighted to be the first company to go through the process with the NSI, and we continue to be passionate about offering the best service to our customers, and safer lone working for all SoloProtect users.”
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