Working Alone Safety Part 2

All personnel must take all reasonable steps to eliminate the hazards identified during a hazard assessment, or to control the hazards if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate them. Supervision and affected workers, in conjunction with emergency response/security involvement, must conduct a JSA to identify potential hazards and conditions prior to starting the work alone. The hazard assessment must be repeated when the work process or operation changes or a new work process is introduced. Based on the hazard assessment, procedures/instructions shall be developed to address specific situations. Any activities that should not be performed when working alone must be specified.

Supervision must designate an individual to establish contact with the individual working alone at predetermined intervals. The designated person will record the results of contacts. In addition to checks at regular intervals, a check at the end of the work shift shall also be made. Time intervals for checking a worker’s well-being shall be developed in consultation with the worker assigned to work alone or in isolation. High-risk activities will require shorter time intervals between checks.

The preferred method for checking is two-way voice contact, but where such a system is not practicable, a one-way system which allows the worker to call or signal for help is acceptable. If a worker fails to respond during a routine check, the supervisor will contact emergency response/security to proceed immediately to the worksite to determine the worker’s condition and reason for lack of response.