In the gas industry, safety is everything. Whether it’s drivers delivering LPG or engineers maintaining storage tanks, many employees work alone in potentially hazardous areas — often surrounded by flammable materials.
To protect these workers, most companies have already invested in lone worker systems. The trouble is, those systems don’t always work as well as they should.
When “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough
It’s quite common to find businesses using lone worker technology that looks right on paper but falls short in practice.
The problem usually starts with how alarms are managed.
In many setups, alarms are routed through a third-party Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). When an alarm is triggered, the ARC responds quickly — but then they have to reach the company’s internal team, who must in turn identify and contact the right local responder.
On paper, this seems straightforward. But in practice, it’s rarely that simple. There are no guarantees that calls will be answered first time — especially when internal teams are busy or out on site. And because only the ARC operator knows it’s an emergency, those follow-up calls can easily be mistaken for routine communication. As a result, critical alerts can sometimes take minutes to reach the right person — or, in more complex cases, much longer.
Then there’s the hardware itself. Many field teams use ATEX-certified lone worker devices, which play a vital role in keeping people safe, though only perform one function. Workers tend to also carry ATEX tablets for job scheduling, compliance updates, and reporting — which means they have to manage, maintain, and carry two separate pieces of technology every day.
It all adds up to a lot of equipment — and a lot of cost — for something that still doesn’t provide the speed or simplicity people expect today.
The Smartphone That Does It All
There’s now a much smarter way to protect lone workers and simplify operations at the same time.
Modern ATEX-certified smartphones combine everything field teams need into one device. They’re rugged, compliant, and packed with all the right safety and communication features — including a dedicated SOS button, man-down detection, push-to-talk communication, and timed alerts for areas with poor signal coverage.
In other words, you get the protection of a lone worker device, the functionality of a tablet, and the convenience of a smartphone — all in one.
And because everything runs on a dedicated cloud-based platform, alarms are handled automatically. There’s no need for an ARC to act as the middleman. When an alarm is triggered, the system instantly alerts both central and local response teams. Those responders can coordinate in real time using push-to-talk, and the worker receives confirmation that help is on the way.
It’s quicker, simpler, and much more reassuring for everyone involved.
The Cost and Compliance Benefits
From a procurement perspective, the savings are difficult to ignore.
ATEX tablets are expensive — typically starting at around £2,200 and often climbing to £3,500 or more, depending on specification. In comparison, an ATEX smartphone costs between £1,300 and £1,800, depending on the model. That alone represents a significant reduction in capital outlay.
But the real financial benefit comes when you look at the total setup, not just the device price. With our solution, businesses no longer need to buy a separate ATEX lone worker device, which usually costs over £700 each.
When you add those savings together, the difference becomes substantial — and that’s before factoring in the reduced number of SIM cards, data contracts, and support agreements needed to run the system.
For HSE teams, it still ticks every compliance box — meeting ATEX requirements while delivering improved protection, faster alerts, and clearer communication.
And for operations, it’s a simpler, more practical way to work. Engineers can access job apps, complete compliance forms, make calls, and raise alarms — all from one device that can be comfortably worn or carried throughout the day.
A Win for Safety, Efficiency, and Cost
Replacing a fragmented system with an integrated ATEX smartphone solution doesn’t just make financial sense — it makes operational sense too.
You’re giving workers a tool they’ll actually use and feel comfortable carrying. You’re reducing the number of systems that need managing. And you’re ensuring that when something does go wrong, the right people know about it straight away.
For safety. For efficiency. For peace of mind.
If you’d like to see how our ATEX smartphone solution could improve your safety processes, cut costs, and streamline communication across your sites, get in touch. We’d love to show you what’s possible.
