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MODEL WORKING ALONE POLICY
BENEFITS
Workers who work alone are especially vulnerable, particularly to workplace violence. They often don’t have direct contact with co-workers or supervisors. And they may be working in circumstances in which emergency assistance isn’t readily available to them if they get injured, sick or are otherwise endangered. As a result, the OHS laws require employers to take steps to protect workers working alone.
HOW TO USE THE TOOL
Adapt this model working alone policy, which was based on one created by WorkSafeNB, to be consistent with your company’s operations and other workplace safety policies and with the requirements in your jurisdiction’s OHS laws. And train all workers and supervisors on it.
OTHER RESOURCES:
WorkSafeNB Orientation Guide for Employers
Model Working Alone Risk Assessment Form
MODEL WORKING ALONE POLICY
This working alone policy applies to all employees of [insert company name] “the Company,” as required by [insert relevant section of OHS law].
DIRECTIVE:
The management of the Company is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. Department supervisors are responsible for providing hands-on training to identify and address control mechanisms for potential and actual hazards associated with a worker’s job tasks.
DEFINITIONS:
Incident report: a form to be completed and signed by workers and a supervisor that identifies hazardous conditions, tools, equipment, machinery, situations, encounters with general public or acts of vandalism either to personal or Company property.
Risk assessment: a documented assessment of the hazards and controls associated with a) workers who are assigned to work alone or in isolation and b) workers who may be at risk of workplace injury due to the nature of the work or by working with the general public.
Working alone: any person is considered to be working alone when they are a) alone at work; b) out of direct contact with other workers or supervisors; or c) working for a period of time or in a circumstance where assistance is not readily available in the event of an injury, illness, or emergency.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Management:
• Implement this policy.
• Conduct and document risk assessments and control measures for hazards and risks identified within all departments.
• Adequately train managers and supervisors on risk assessments and control measures for risk assessments.
• Establish communication procedures for managers and supervisors to deliver risk assessment information to all employees.
• Review all working alone policies and procedures annually and communicate all changes, amendments, improvements, etc. immediately to staff.
• Measure and evaluate communication procedures through performance evaluations.
Supervisors:
• Communicate to workers the responsibility of supervisors for workers who work alone.
• Communicate to workers their responsibilities for working alone.
• Provide timely and appropriate instruction and training to workers who work alone or in isolation.
Workers:
• Take reasonable care for their health and safety.
• Follow all company directives and procedures when working alone or in isolation.
• Assist the supervisor in completing the Working Alone Risk Assessment Form.
• Report and document any unsafe or hazardous conditions or situations immediately to their supervisor.
Management ______
Date ______
Revised on ______
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