Many people have either alone or separately from a group in their professional career. However, have you considered the seriousness of a potential incident if it were to take place? Working alone has the potential to lead to dangerous situations. So, today, we want to talk more about how to stay safe when working on your own.
What is considered working alone?
As outlined by Alberta’s OHS Code, working alone is defined as:
- Workers are working by themselves.
- Assistance is not readily available to the worker if there is an injury, illness or emergency.
What are the requirements?
There are some obligations that fall upon the employer to ensure worker safety. They are required to:
- Complete a hazard assessment identifying current or potential hazards that arise from the worker’s work.
- Implementation to either eliminate or control the identified hazards to a reasonable level
- Ensure employees working alone have an effective way of communicating with individuals who can respond immediately to an emergency, injury, or illness
- Keep in contact with the worker at regular intervals.
- Workers must be competently trained and educated so they can perform their job safely.
Concerns associated with working alone
There are several challenges that are important to address when working alone. Some of these include the following:
- Emergency Situations: In the event of an accident or medical emergency, being alone can delay response times and make it harder to get help quickly.
- Lack of Immediate Assistance: Working alone means you have to troubleshoot issues by yourself, which can be challenging and time-consuming. It can also decrease your access to immediate help, which can impact the situation and possibly make it more dire than.
- Mental Health: Working alone may have a negative impact on a worker’s mental health. Isolation can often increase stress and anxiety, which may affect a worker’s safety and well-being.
- Injury Prevention: Without others around, there might be fewer immediate checks on how safely tasks are performed. This could lead to an increased number of accidents or injuries.
To address these safety concerns, consider the following:
- Emergency Plans: Develop and practice emergency plans and ensure you have a way to quickly contact help if needed.
- Safety Training: Ensure all workers are well-trained in safety protocols.
- Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins with a colleague or supervisor to ensure you’re safe and to address any issues that may arise. In case of an emergency, a reliable way to communicate quickly with emergency services or other people is needed. Solo workers should have clear protocols and tools for emergency communication.
Alberta OHS also recommends that, if possible, employers must eliminate the hazard of having workers work alone. This can be achieved by:
- Creating work schedules that ensure workers don’t have to work by themselves without assistance being readily available.
- Rearranging the physical layout of the work site so workers can maintain contact with one another to ensure assistance can be provided.
It is always smart to be aware and prepared. Consider the potential events that could turn out unfavorably. Then, develop an action plan around each circumstance. Be sure to utilize your resources and address any safety issues.
While employers have mandatory requirements they must uphold, it is ultimately up to you to ensure your own safety. Awareness and knowledge of current and potential hazards are key in the prevention of loss when working alone.
If you would like to speak to DF Safety about your own business safety solutions, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to us today, and let’s ensure your workers are protected.