ÖBB relies on the Üpaa Safety app

Oensingen-Balsthal-Bahn AG (ÖBB) combines regional transport and railway history in just 4.1 km: With 20 employees, it operates passenger transport on behalf of SBB, operates freight connections in cooperation with SBB Cargo and has a depot workshop, a travel center and the “Rampenpintli” at Balsthal station. In the nostalgic workshop, everything from boiler service on historic steam locomotives to electrical work on newer models to complete restoration — such as the famous “Red Arrow” — is done by themselves. A lot of work takes place in tight workshop pits or in places where colleagues are not within sight or calling range.

In order to better control these specific risks, ÖBB has Uepaa Safety app introduced — an app that was developed specifically for solo and team work in distributed work environments.

Functions that count in everyday workshop life

Automatic dead man and accident detection
The app uses sensors and timer functions to detect accidents such as immobility. If the person concerned does not respond to a pre-alarm, the next stage of the alarm chain is automatically triggered.

Manual emergency call (SOS)
Employees can actively trigger an alarm at any time when a dangerous situation is announced or rapid assistance is needed.

Comrade assistance/first responder function
When an alarm is triggered, the app automatically notifies the closest colleagues. In this way, first aiders are quickly mobilized in the relevant environment — particularly important in a workshop where employees work in the same building but often out of sight and calling range.

Protection even when reception is limited
The app is designed to provide protection even when mobile phone reception is temporarily limited — a clear advantage in deep workshop pits or shielded areas.

Easy introduction
The solution works on existing iOS and Android devices (BYOD) and can be seamlessly integrated into existing alarm chains. This makes it quick and easy to implement even for smaller companies.

Why this is important at ÖBB

Spatially separated teamwork
Employees often work simultaneously in the depot workshop, on vehicles, in pits or in different parts of the building — but rarely in the same location. The camera aid fills exactly this gap.

Demanding and physical work
Working on boilers, chassis, electrical systems and historic components can lead to situations in which you can no longer actively request help. Automatic recognition protects in these critical moments.

Quick internal help
Colleagues are usually on site faster than external rescue workers — a decisive advantage in tight workshop environments where every minute counts.

conclusion

ÖBB's nostalgic workshop is a unique place: historic charm meets sophisticated, precision craftsmanship. It is precisely in this environment that the Uepaa Safety app decisive safety benefits — from automatic accident detection to the SOS function and friendly first-responder support.
This means that valuable work on steam locomotives, modern vehicles and the “Red Arrow” remains safer than ever.

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