Lanyards are one of the most popular badge accessories for employee or student ID cards. They're a convenient way to display your credentials, and lanyards aren't easy to misplace like other badge accessories. Many people leave their lanyard hanging from their vehicle's rearview mirror at day's end so they won't forget it the next morning.
A breakaway lanyard offers a safe way to still display your cardholders' credentials around their neck without the risk of choking or hanging. Since these lanyards will instantly separate when tugged on, it creates a safety measure you should consider, depending on your industry and your job responsibilities.
If you're wondering whether you need breakaway or regular lanyards, here are a few dangerous conditions requiring extra safety measures.
Manufacturing and construction
Those who work around heavy machinery or large equipment know the risk of loose clothing getting entangled. Consider how workers interact with the equipment and machines in your production line or on the job site. If employees need to bend over a piece of equipment to use it or work on it, lanyards become a choking hazard.
Another reason breakaway lanyards are convenient in these industries is they clasp around your neck like a necklace. This is particularly useful for employees with hardhats instead of pulling a lanyard over their head.
Schools and daycare facilities
Anyone working with children knows the dangers of something around their necks. For students who need to wear their IDs, a breakaway lanyard eliminates the risk of it getting caught while running or playing on the playground. And for teachers and childcare providers, a breakaway lanyard is a must-have to keep children from pulling on your lanyard.
Hospitals, nursing homes, and psychiatric wards
Anyone working in the healthcare industry knows physical interactions arise easily, especially when people are confused and frightened. If your employees face patients and others who become aggressive, a breakaway lanyard could save them from serious injury. Any strap around your employees' neck could become life-threatening in the wrong situation.
Public services
Employees of some public services like prisons, courts, and detention centers also don't need their lanyards becoming a weapon for a violent person. Anywhere the potential for violence is high, breakaway lanyards keeps employees safe. Some public services like the police and first responders stitch their name badges to their uniform to eliminate this risk. But if your employees wear different clothes every day, this option isn't practical. A breakaway lanyard is the best answer.
When to use breakaway lanyards
If your organization falls in one of the previous situations, your employees, students, and others would be safer with breakaway lanyards. But if your particular situation is different, anytime safety is an issue in your workplace, either for your employees, customers, students, vendors, or others, consider breakaway lanyards.
Breakaway lanyards come in a variety of styles and colors. You can customize breakaway lanyards with your organization's logo or another image or text, depending on your needs. Most lanyards come with your option of attachments, like clamps, hooks, swivels, split rings, and even badge reels. What's most important about your breakaway lanyards is the plastic clip that sits at the nape of a person's neck. It gives way instantly when the lanyard is caught or tugged.
Final thoughts
Breakaway lanyards are an important part of your organization's safety plan. If you need employees or students to wear identification but safety is your first priority, these lanyards are a must-have. You can get them in your company colors, have them customized with your logo, and choose from a variety of attachment types. They're perfect for high-risk occupations and environments.
Idesco offers a variety of breakaway lanyards. Our ID Experts can help you find the right attachment, colors, and more. If you need customization, an ID Expert will help you find the perfect solution for your requirements.
If you still have questions, call one of the Idesco ID Experts at 212-889-2530 and they’d be happy to answer them.