Working alone includes all workers who may go for a period where they do not have direct contact with a co-worker. For example, a large office building receptionist may be considered a "lone" worker. Alternatively, a construction worker who’s in a bathroom, or other location, where co-workers cannot see may also be regarded as a lone worker. Examples of people working alone could also include those with poor cellular coverage, professional drivers, security providers, and people in the service industry.
The wide variety of circumstances while working alone, makes it essential to assess each situation individually. High-risk activities can involve dangers from various sources, such as working at heights or in a confined space, working with hazardous products, or working with hazardous energy (I.e., electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.).
Tips to ensure safety
There are many steps to be taken to help ensure the safety of the lone worker:
• Avoid having a lone worker whenever possible, especially for jobs with a recognized risk.
• Talk to employees about their work. Get their input about the work they do and possible solutions.
• Investigate incidents at your workplace and learn from incidents in similar workplaces.
• Take corrective action to prevent or minimize the potential risks of working alone.
• Provide appropriate training and education to the lone worker and the person tasked to respond if there is a concern.
• Report all situations, incidents or 'near misses' where being alone increased the severity of the problem. Analyze this information and make changes to a company policy where necessary.
• Establish a check-in procedure. Make sure that regular contact is kept with all workers. Establish ways to account for people while they are working.
• Schedule higher-risk tasks during regular business hours or when another worker can help in an emergency.
Remember to check the regulations in your jurisdictions to see if there are specific laws concerning working alone.
Technology and safety
New technology such as wearables, smartphones, and satellite devices can help improve lone worker safety. Solutions are exception based and easy to use, such as the lone worker’s check-in and quickly confirming their safety electronically with a button. An automated control centre receives these alerts and notifies a team member when there’s a problem, such as an SOS or a missed check-in.
Some lone worker safety providers offer an “off-the-shelf” solution that can be quickly integrated into your operation. The speed of integration is facilitated by the “closed” nature of the solution – your business must use the provider’s technology from end to end. There are no choices to explore and no ways to customize according to the unique needs of your business.
Lone-worker companies that supply open-ended solutions work with you to determine how to best integrate your operation’s existing devices and technology into their solution. Personal devices, from smartphones to SOS buttons or even satellite devices, can all be used to care for your lone workers.
Control centres allow you to pull and analyze data from dashboards containing valuable insights to gain the necessary visibility to make safety improvements. As the hub of an innovative lone worker safety solution, it should use software to receive alerts from lone workers and initiate emergency procedures when necessary.
Alerts reach the right person at the right time; any safety solution you implement must improve the safety of your lone workers. Devices alone will not keep your employees safe. Escalation procedures and emergency protocols must be defined, and response workers must be trained. Strategies must be developed to implement these new procedures in your organization efficiently.
A lone-worker solution provider must be able to help implement a technology-based approach. These policies and procedures are more than just printed pages in a manual. Instead, safety procedures are embedded in the technology your employees use.
Hazard assessments
The following are some points to consider for a hazard assessment for each workplace situation:
1. Length of time the worker will be working alone:
• What is a reasonable time for the worker to be alone?
• Is it suitable for the worker to be alone at all?
• How long will the worker be alone to finish the job?
• Is it legal for the worker to be alone while doing certain activities? (Some jurisdictions restrict working alone in confined spaces or during lock-out/tag-out operations).
• What time of the day will the worker be alone?
2. Communication:
• What forms of communication available?
• Is seeing the work necessary, or is voice communication adequate?
• Will emergency communication systems work correctly in all situations?
• If the communication systems are in a vehicle, do you need alternate arrangements to cover the worker when away from the vehicle?
3. Location of the work:
• Is the job in a remote or isolated location? (Remember, a remote location does not have to be far away. Storage rooms that are rarely used can be considered remote or isolated.)
• Is transportation necessary to get there? What kind of transportation is needed?
• Is the vehicle equipped with emergency supplies such as – food, drinking water and a first aid kit?
• When leaving the vehicle, will the worker need to carry some or all of the emergency supplies with them?
• What are the consequences if the vehicle breaks down?
• Will the worker have to leave the vehicle for long periods?
• Does the worker need training to use the first aid equipment?
4. Type or nature of work:
• Is adequate training and education provided for the worker to work alone safely?
• If personal protective equipment is required, is it available, is it in good working order, and has the worker been trained in its use, care, and storage?
• What machinery, tools or equipment will be used?
• Is there a high-risk activity involved?
• Is fatigue likely to be a factor?
• Are there extremes of temperature?
• Is there a risk of an animal attack, poisoning, or allergic reaction from insect or animal bites?
• If the worker is working inside a locked building, how will emergency services be able to get in? (For example, a night cleaner in a secure office building.)
• Does the work involve handling money or other valuables?
• Does the work include seizing property or goods (such as repossession or recovering stolen property)?
5. Characteristics of the individual who is working alone:
• Are there pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk?
• Does the worker have adequate levels of experience and training? (I.e., first aid, communication systems repair, vehicle breakdowns, relevant administrative procedures, and outdoor survival.)
Employers want to do what’s right to keep employees safe. Therefore, it’s key to provide optimal work conditions to retain your workforce and invest in the safety of your workers. If you have questions about implementing your own safety processes and policies, contact our team today!