What is a Duress Alarm?
A duress alarm, also known as a Personal Response System (PRS) or panic alarm, is a dedicated safety control that allows workers to signal they are in immediate danger and require urgent assistance. Unlike a mobile phone, which requires unlocking, dialling, and speaking, a duress alarm is engineered for operation under extreme stress, typically requiring just a single tactile interaction to trigger emergency response protocols.
Why Duress Alarms Matter
The healthcare sector experiences the highest volume of serious workers' compensation claims for violence, with retail workers also facing increasing customer aggression. With Industrial Manslaughter laws now in most Australian jurisdictions, failure to provide effective protection for at-risk workers carries severe penalties: up to 20 years imprisonment for senior officers and fines up to $16.5 million for bodies corporate.
Legal Requirements in Australia
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and harmonised WHS regulations, Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) have a primary duty of care to ensure worker health and safety.
Regulation 48: Remote or Isolated Work explicitly requires PCBUs to provide "effective communication with the worker" when managing risks associated with remote or isolated work. In situations where mobile phone coverage is weak, or workers face risks preventing them from dialling (such as restraint by an aggressor), a standard mobile phone does not constitute "effective communication." A monitored duress alarm becomes the "reasonably practicable" control measure required by law.
Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, with WorkSafe Victoria providing guidance that explicitly lists "personal duress alarms" and "automatic warning devices" as recommended control measures for high-risk isolation.
WorkSafeKit provides monitored duress alarms with automatic man-down detection, GPS tracking, and Grade A1 monitoring centre connectivity—ensuring you meet Regulation 48 requirements.
How Duress Alarms Work
Activation Methods
Manual Activation (Panic Button): Buttons on dedicated fobs, pendants, or ID card holders are recessed to prevent accidents but tactile enough to locate by touch. Devices require a "press and hold" (1–3 seconds) or "double press" to filter false alarms. Haptic feedback (vibration) confirms activation without alerting aggressors.
Automatic "Man-Down" Detection: For incapacitation scenarios—heart attacks, falls, vehicle crashes—devices use accelerometers and gyroscopes monitoring sudden impact, tilt, or non-movement. A "pre-alert" phase (15–30 seconds of vibration/beeping) allows cancellation before transmission.
Welfare Timer (Dead Man's Switch): For high-risk environments like confined spaces or hostile locations, workers set countdown timers. Failure to check in before expiry triggers automatic alarms, protecting workers who may be coerced into silence.
Transmission and Connectivity
Once triggered, devices transmit a distress signal containing GPS coordinates, user identity (linked to medical history and next-of-kin), and often 20 seconds of buffered audio to provide context.
| Connectivity Type | Coverage | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cellular (4G/5G) | Urban, suburban, major highways (~30% of Australia) | Healthcare, retail, urban logistics | Coverage gaps in rural areas |
| Satellite (Iridium/Globalstar) | 100% of Australian landmass (outdoors) | Remote exploration, forestry, mining | Requires line of sight to sky; limited indoors |
| Hybrid | 100% (automatic switching) | Utilities, regional transport, mining | Higher cost |
Approximately 70% of Australia lacks mobile coverage, making satellite or hybrid devices essential for remote workers in mining, agriculture, or forestry.
Monitoring: Grade A1 vs Self-Monitoring
The industry standard for high-risk work is connection to a Grade A1 Monitoring Centre, certified under AS 2201.2. These facilities are designed to remain operational during catastrophes, featuring physical security, multiple power sources (mains, UPS, diesel generators), redundant communications, and 24/7/365 staffing by licensed security officers.
When an alert arrives, operators follow a disciplined escalation protocol: triage (receiving worker photo, location, risk profile), verification (opening a silent "listen-in" audio channel), and escalation (dispatching police or following client-specific escalation lists).
Self-monitoring (SMS/email alerts to managers) introduces a dangerous single point of failure. Courts would likely view self-monitoring as insufficient for high-risk work compared to professional monitoring.
Dedicated Devices vs Smartphone Apps
| Feature | Smartphone App | Dedicated Device |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | High friction (unlock, find app) | One-touch tactile button |
| Reliability | Variable (OS may kill background app) | High (dedicated firmware) |
| Discretion | Low (visible screen use) | High (pocket/ID card concealment) |
| Theft Risk | High (phone is primary target) | Low (no resale value) |
For low-risk administrative roles, apps may suffice. For frontline roles facing aggression in healthcare, retail, or security, dedicated hardware is generally required to meet the "reasonably practicable" test.
WorkSafeKit offers hybrid devices that automatically switch between cellular and satellite networks, ensuring protection across 100% of Australia—from city centres to remote worksites.
The 3G Network Shutdown Impact
Australia completed its 3G network shutdown in 2024. Many older duress alarms are "3G-Only" or use 4G for data but rely on 3G for voice (Circuit Switched Fallback). These devices may still send GPS pings, but monitoring centres cannot open audio channels—rendering verification impossible. Organisations must audit device fleets and confirm VoLTE (Voice over LTE) compatibility.
Industry Applications
Healthcare and Social Assistance: This sector has the highest volume of occupational violence claims. GPS-enabled pendants locate staff in sprawling suburbs, while "Amber Alert" functions enable pre-check-in before entering client homes.
Retail: Workers face increasing customer aggression. Discreet under-counter buttons or wearable devices summon security without alerting the aggressor.
Logistics and Transport: "Man-down" crash detection and satellite/hybrid devices protect drivers in remote areas outside cellular zones.
Privacy and Surveillance Considerations
In NSW (Workplace Surveillance Act 2005) and the ACT (Workplace Privacy Act 2011), employers must provide 14 days' written notice before commencing tracking and limit data use to stated safety purposes. Modern devices offer "privacy mode," allowing users to disable GPS when off duty. Organisations should explicitly state that location data will only be accessed during alarm events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a duress alarm is triggered accidentally?
Most systems initiate a "pre-alert" sequence (vibration/beeping) for 10–20 seconds, allowing users to cancel before transmission. If the signal is sent, the monitoring centre opens the audio line. If they hear a non-threatening environment, they may request a "Safe Word" to verify it was a false alarm.
Can duress alarms work without mobile coverage?
Standard cellular alarms cannot. However, satellite-enabled or hybrid devices utilise networks like Iridium or Globalstar to send alerts from virtually anywhere with a clear view of the sky. These are essential for remote work but typically don't work indoors or in deep canyons.
Are employers required to provide duress alarms?
While there's no universal law mandating duress alarms, WHS Regulation 48 requires "effective communication" for remote/isolated workers. If risk assessments show workers face violence or incapacity and a mobile phone is insufficient (due to inability to dial under stress or poor coverage), providing a monitored duress alarm becomes a legal duty under the "reasonably practicable" standard.
Will the 3G shutdown affect my current alarms?
Highly likely. If your devices utilise 3G for voice calls (even with 4G data), they will lose audio monitoring capability. Contact your supplier immediately to confirm 4G VoLTE compatibility. Non-compatible devices must be replaced.
Can I just use an app on my employee's personal phone?
You can, but it introduces risks. You cannot legally force employees to install tracking software on personal devices without consent. Relying on personal hardware (flat batteries, aggressive power-saving settings) introduces liability. Providing dedicated devices ensures control over safety equipment reliability.
How accurate is the location tracking?
Outdoors, GPS is accurate to within 3–10 metres. Indoors, accuracy diminishes as satellite signals are blocked. Advanced solutions use Wi-Fi triangulation or Bluetooth beacons for room-level accuracy.
References and Standards
- Safe Work Australia: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth/Model Laws), Regulation 48: Remote or Isolated Work
- WorkSafe Victoria: Remote or isolated work guidance
- AS 4607-1999: Personal Response Systems
- AS 2201.2:2004: Intruder alarm systems - Monitoring centres
- NSW Workplace Surveillance Act 2005
- Safe Work Australia: Key Work Health and Safety Statistics 2024