Communicating with your workers isn’t always straightforward.

There are working environments which can make it difficult for teams to easily exchange information. These include worksites where mobile phone use is prohibited or impossible, or during lone-worker situations, among others. And even within working environments where communication is not overly difficult, it’s not always possible to ensure that your workers have actually received the messages that Supervisors send.

Risk prevention specialists, Reactec, has launched Worker Messaging functionality on their latest wearable device, the R-Link watch.

The R-Link watch is a multifunctional workplace wearable device which is designed to help protect the wearer from common occupational health and safety risks in real-time. These include exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV), when an operative uses power tools, exposure to harmful workplace particulates and even when the wearer is getting dangerously close to an operating hazard, such as a moving vehicle or active machinery.

And now with Worker Messaging functionality, R-Link makes it possible for Supervisors to schedule and send live messages and alerts to onsite teams working on the jobsite or shopfloor.

R-Link Worker Messaging functionality enables duty holders or H&S managers to schedule messages and alerts in advance. Messages can be quickly created and scheduled in the cloud-based Reactec Analytics platform for delivery to specific team, working on specific sites and at specific times.

For example, in winter months, R-Link’s messaging functionality allows Supervisors to pre-schedule messages reminding workers to take precaution, wear extra layers, be mindful of icy conditions and take regular breaks. And to ensure that these messages are received, the R-Link watch requires team members to acknowledge the alerts with a simple button press, once they’ve opened and read the information.

This virtual paper-trail - including evidence of scheduled and sent messages, and confirmation of receipt by workers - is stored in the Reactec Analytics software along with the worker’s personalised risk data on exposure to vibration, exposure to dust and also any near-miss occurrences caused by dangerous proximity to operating hazards.

Communicating with your workers is essential for ensuring their safety and well-being, and for keeping them informed. On worksites where mobile phone use is prohibited or unreliable, or in situations where your workers are operating remotely or by themselves, R-Link’s worker messaging helps to ensure that important information reaches your team. And with the capability to schedule messages and alerts in advance, this technology is built to keep your workers informed without impacting productivity.