Medical Alert Equipment

Safety First in an Arborist World-The Latest in Equipment, Best Practices

By Gerald Conn , ACRT Inc.

Every employer works tirelessly to prevent work-related injuries for its employees. In addition to the pain, suffering and frustration of being injured, other factors make work-related injuries seem even worse for employees. Questions regarding the workers’ compensation process—lost pay, medical billing, repeat doctor visits and the associated paperwork—all contribute to the stress surrounding the injury.

Each year U.S. employers spend an average of $170 billion on expenses related to occupational injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). The cost to employers for only the workers’ compensation portion of workplace injuries and illnesses averages $1 billion per week. And that doesn’t even begin to cover the hundreds and thousands of dollars it costs employees for hospital visits, treatments and missed work.

A basic in preventing or reducing the number of workplace injuries is to provide the proper tools and equipment to employees so they can perform their jobs safely. In the utility industry, equipment ranges from standard, personal protective equipment to technologies such as hand-held devices and the newest computer programs. No matter the level of sophistication, employees must be trained to operate their equipment and on how the equipment can help them achieve a safe work environment.

In Case of Emergency

A growing trend in the utility vegetation management industry is the use of GPS technology. There are many benefits in using GPS from an efficiency standpoint, but GPS is equally important for employee safety, especially for those who spend a lot of their time on the road. GPS technology can provide quick access to accurate directions, local traffic congestion and shortest routes to chosen destinations, helping employees drive smarter, which reduces the potential for accidents.

GPS technology also can be set to alert drivers and supervisors of activated engine lights signaling potential mechanical problems. This knowledge helps supervisors take steps to avoid potential breakdown situations or coordinate maintenance concerns. This is especially important for workers and vehicles in remote locations that might not have access to immediate assistance.

Foresters often are required to work in potentially treacherous locales, such as mountain ranges, that are large and usually remote. To heighten safety for these workers, portable, lightweight devices offer GPS location-based messaging and emergency communication via satellite that works virtually anywhere—critical where there is no cellular connectivity. These units can be preprogrammed to send emergency communications via 911, as well as signal for help for nonlife-threatening situations.

How to cut through a Medical Alert's BS!

The fact that I work for Life Alert clearly brings along some bias. When I receive a phone call from a prospective member and they tell me they are comparing Life Alert to other medical alert companies, I have to laugh. There really is no comparison. The latest was to compare Life Alert to Guardian Medical.

Betty called in to talk about getting her mother Rebecca protected. “Mom is 83, has arthritis, has diabetes, and has high blood pressure,” Betty said. “She’s also fallen both inside and outside, and after her last fall, she fractured her leg.” I told Betty how sorry I was to hear that mom was in such bad shape, but that I would be more than happy to assist Betty in getting mom protected. We went over the Life Alert system, and found a package that would protect Rebecca, while providing Betty and her family peace of mind.

It was then that Betty told me she was looking at other medical alerts like Guardian Medical. “I like that you are researching different companies,” I said. “But I’m sure that you have found some major differences, right?” It was at this point that Betty told me that she was just looking at other companies but didn’t really know anything about them (this is generally the answer I get when I ask). “Well first of all, please keep in mind that Guardian is no different than the CVS medical alert, or any other alert that is controlled by Connect America,” I said. “This means that there is a disconnect between the medical alert company that sent you the equipment, and the monitoring center.” “Oh wow,” she said. “I would never have known about that.” I explained to her that Life Alert is one entity where the right hand and the left hand are in sync.

“Companies like these also boast about their excellent customer service,” I said. “Guardian goes so far as to claim they have the best customer service that is based in the United States.” I then told her about a comment I received for the post: Is A Medical Alert What You Need which reads:

“Medical alert is a very effective system, mainly for senior peoples who are living alone at their home. Medical Guardian providing medical alert system service for Americans who living independently at home.”

I told Betty that from this comment, it seemed that Guardian either hired 10 year olds, or possibly has some people working for them whose first language is not English. “Either way, is that a company that makes you feel confident that they would protect your mother?” I asked. “I don’t think so Randy, and thank you for bringing this to my attention,” Betty replied.

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