If you have ever been a victim of a workplace injury or even just witnessed one, then you know how serious they can be. As an employer or simply an advocating employee, you can help prevent many of the most common types of work-related accidents with technology available on the latest smartphones. Here are some features to look for when upgrading to a new company smartphone:
Extended Battery Life
We are all busier than ever and no one has time to be tethered to a wall outlet, waiting for their smartphone battery to charge. Extended battery life is a crucial feature you should be looking for when deciding between smartphones for your team. Not only is it more time efficient, but it is also a safety precaution. In the event that an accident happens at work or while an employee is on the road for a meeting, having a smartphone with the battery power to call for help can make the difference between a minor injury and a life-threatening one.
Most of the latest smartphones compete against one another for the longest battery life, so look to invest in a new model as soon as your team is due for phone upgrades. One notably powerful device is the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Its standard battery offers an impressive 36 hours of talk time and can hold power through as many as 14 days when in standby mode.
Find My Phone
A device location feature comes standard in most mobile operating systems and this feature can be useful for organizations and individuals alike. Called Find My Phone on iOS devices and Android Device Manager on Android-powered devices, this feature provides precise location information for the mobile device.
This information can prove critically important if an employee is feared to be in danger or even if he or she simply misplaces their company smartphone. If you employ a team of outside sales associates, delivery drivers or anyone who is frequently on the road traveling for work, this feature can be a helpful way to keep tabs on everyone to ensure safety.
Medical ID
In the event that you are involved in an accident at your workplace, setting up a medical ID feature on your smartphone can save your life. This feature has been native on the iPhone (in the Health app) since the iOS 8 update and can be added to Android devices through a medical identification app.
The goal of Apple’s Medical ID is to provide emergency access to your most important health information, and it can all be accessed from the lock screen if necessary. Input key information like emergency contacts, blood type, organ donor preference, known medical conditions, allergies, medications, date of birth, height and weight. Hopefully you’ll never have to use this feature, but if you do, it could help save your life.
Fingerprint Scanner
A fingerprint scanner has become a standard feature with the newest smartphones for good reason: it helps ensure device security. Enhanced mobile device security can help mitigate workplace safety risks by reducing the threat of data theft and network breaks. In the event that your employee’s smartphone accidentally falls into the wrong hands, you can rest assured that your sensitive company information is protected and, in most cases, you can even initiate a remote deactivation of the device. This feature can be accessed on Android phones through the Android Device Manager app. From here, you can remotely wipe a device, brick the phone (rendering it unbootable) or even blacklist the smartphone’s international mobile equipment identification (IMEI).
Allison Wilkinson – As a mom, wife, writer, runner and amateur chef, adventure is the name of the game for Allison. When she’s not exploring with her toddler, she’s researching her next family vacation, trying to answer the never-ending question of what to make for dinner or taking some me time on her yoga mat.
