I thought this was interesting: SPOT devices are being used for worker safety checks in the resource industry. (Not sure which models.)

It's a solution to the problem of working alone at remote industrial sites, out of cell phone range.

The devices are preprogrammed to interact with a safety monitoring and dispatch company. The worker can start/stop a timer that raises the alarm (on the dispatcher's system) if they are overdue. I assume they can also signal for immediate assistance.

I wouldn't be surprised if SPOT made a specific version for that industry not available to consumers.

Years ago, we were using SPOT devices at Channel islands National Park, even though we weree routinely equipped with radios on the park net. I assume they aree still in serice. it was quite common to e the only person on a fairly large island.

It was common knowledge with the prk radios, the more dire the circumstance, the more likely you were to be out of range....

It will be interesting to get the inside scoop on this. Field guys/gals are pretty darn competent and capable, and have very distinct (private) opinions about the "paper side" of the company looking over their shoulders, for the sole purpose of ticking a regulatory check box.

Some resource companies have gone so far as to equip employees and contractors with motion sensor devices that trigger a response after a time-out. You can imagine the response of the hard-ass field staff.