According to latest figures, the earth’s surface experiences an average of 45 lightning strikes per second. In peak
times, this figure can be as high as four hundred per second.
Tragically, it is also estimated that at least 6000 lives are lost each year because of lightning strikes, in addition
to almost 240,000 serious injuries.
This data spurred New Zealand-based software company SaferMe into the development of WeatherHalo, a state-of-the art
lightning detection safety app, that provides real-time warnings of lightning strikes.
SaferMe spokesperson Clint Van Marrewijk says the company is delighted to announce the official launch of WeatherHalo,
designed to improve personal safety of workers across the globe.
“WeatherHalo is the world’s first mobile lightning safety app that displays a “safety bubble” around the user, warning
workers of lightning risks in real-time.”
The product was designed by SaferMe in partnership with New Zealand’s MetService, the country’s commercially operated,
national meteorological service.
It further strengthens SaferMe’s advanced safety platform offer for EHS professionals. SaferMe helps organizations
mobilize their hazard data to enhance employee safety, and transform their EHS processes.
Clint Van Marrewijk says that amongst all types of workplaces, it is those workers in mining, oil and gas, electrical
utilities, fencing, and scaffolding who are extremely susceptible to the dangers of lightning.
“WeatherHalo can provide much-needed lightning protection to industry workers by sending them personalised, real-time
lightning alerts through their mobile phone. The app uses a map interface so users are able to see their locations and
have their own “safety bubble” relative to where they are. If lightning occurs near their place of work or within the
company’s stop-work guidelines, they will receive alerts in real time.
The app is also capable of displaying cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes.
Some of the most important features of Weather Halo include
Personalised lightning alerts to keep the workforce safe from harm while working
Helps minimise downtime and only stop work when it’s necessary
The drag-and-drop form builder ensures that the app is flexible and can be adapted for other data purposes
Within its short lifespan, WeatherHalo has already received encouraging feedback from users. “With our people going into
the most remote locations, it's important they have the most up-to-date weather safety information to keep them safe,”
said James Knapp, Health & Safety Leader at OSPRI.
With offices in New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden, SaferMe has an impressive line-up of customers that includes Veolia,
Vodafone Global, AngloGold Ashanti, Queensland Urban Utilities, MetService, and TB Free New Zealand. The company
recently raised $1.25 million for expansion into the Australian Market.
To find out more about the Weather Halo app from SaferMe, please visit https://www.safer.me/lightningalerts/
About: SaferMe is mobilizing the world’s hazard data to make people safer, driving the digital transformation of safety
in complex organisations. To build long-term change at a macro-level, they are using shared hazard data to build the
world’s biggest database of hazards. Combined with the leading proximity alerting technology from SaferMe, this is a
powerful solution for improving the safety of the users.