Going Solo At Work Can Be Risky Business

OTTAWA -- Every job has hazards, being exposed to those hazards without anyone around as backup makes them all the more dangerous. So whether you work in a taxicab, a hospital, a gas bar kiosk or the front desk of an office tower, you must have a plan to ensure you can be safe on the job.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health says, lone workers in any job need protection.

Here's a summary of how to get that protection: First of all, as you would in any work setting, determine what the hazards are. Talk to the employee(s) about the tasks they perform and how to make them safer. Make sure they have the right training.

If possible, find a way to avoid anyone having to work alone. If someone must work alone, establish a procedure whereby the worker regularly checks in with someone from the company. Your workplace should have a formal procedure that allows the worker to get in touch, either visually or verbally.

This check-in procedure could, for example, identify one main person to be the contact at the office, plus a backup, and perhaps have that person periodically contact or visit the lone employee. The company also should have an emergency action plan to follow if the lone employee does not check in at the pre-determined time. The plan should consider and be appropriate for both off hours and regular business hours.

If an incident does happen, investigate and report it as soon as possible. Take corrective action to make sure it doesn't happen again. You must also report any near misses involving the lone worker. Analyze what happened and, if necessary, change company policy to make workers safer.

As you assess the hazards at your workplace, consider who is doing the job. You must also factor in how long the person will work alone, what the job entails and where the site is located. Schedule higher risk tasks to be done during normal business hours, or when another worker capable of helping in an emergency is present.

There are laws about protecting people who work alone. Check the requirements in your jurisdiction. Meanwhile, you will find detailed information on the OSH Answers document, "Working Alone." It outlines what to consider in your safety program for people who work alone.