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Hamiota Municipality
Policies and Procedures
Policy Number: 700.4 Section: Health and Safety
Subject: Working Alone Policy
Passed by Resolution of Council: 20220803-08
BACKGROUND
Hamiota Municipality is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our employees. We strive to ensure that all appropriate safeguards are enacted to protect our employees who must work alone or in isolation. This policy has been adopted to provide a consistent approach to this type of work.
POLICY/PROCEDURE
Working alone: To work at a work site where assistance is not readily available in the event of an injury, illness, or emergency.
Guidelines
Working Alone Safely
Whenever a worker must work alone, Hamiota Municipality will:
Conduct a hazard assessment to identify existing or potential hazards arising from the conditions and circumstances of the work;
Establish an effective means of communication between the worker and persons capable of responding to their needs; and
Visit the worker as appropriate if an effective means of communication is not practicable or available at the worksite.
To ensure the ongoing safety of our employees, the Municipality will:
Take all reasonable steps to eliminate any hazards identified;
Take all reasonable steps to control any hazards that cannot reasonably be eliminated;
Communicate the findings of the hazard assessment in writing to all affected employees;
Provide employee training and education to limit the dangers of working alone;
Investigate all accidents or incidents, and take all reasonable steps to prevent a re-occurrence;
Report all situations, incidents, or near-misses where being alone increased the level of inherent danger to the situation, and make appropriate reasonable changes.
Avoid scheduling alone work whenever possible, especially where a distinct level of risk is recognized; and always have at least two employees working in the office.
Schedule higher risk work to be done during regular business hours, or when another employee capable of helping in an emergency is present.
Workplace Hazard Assessment
Hamiota Municipality will perform a thorough workplace hazard assessment for any locations or situations where employees may be required to work alone. The workplace hazard assessment will be conducted by the (health and safety committee OR health and safety representative) in conjunction with management and will investigate the following issues.
Length of time the employee must work alone
Determine the length of time the employee must work alone, and establish reasonable limitations for the duration of this type of work;
Determine whether or not it is reasonable or safe for the employee to work alone, given the situation or location required;
Examine the length of time the employee requires to perform the necessary task;
Identify the time of day the employee must work alone.
Communication
Determine the methods of communication that are available;
Determine the most appropriate form of communication; and
Ensure that all emergency communication systems are in proper working order.
Public Works to check in with Department Supervisors
Location of work
Establish any physical or elemental hazards associated with the location;
Examine the security features of the workplace (for example, security cameras and alarms) to ensure the safety and well-being of the employee;
Where possible, ensure the employee is in a position of high visibility;
Ensure that all windows are clear to provide maximum visibility;
Determine the accessibility of the workplace to emergency services;
Identify the abilities of the employee performing work alone
Ensure that the employee has received the appropriate levels of training and education required to perform the work alone; and
Establish the employee's level of personal health to minimize potential health hazards associated with working alone (such as a pre-existing medical condition that may increase their risk of becoming ill or injured while alone).
Establish a calling system with another worker or with office staff. The employee must check in every two hours until the end of his or her shift.
SafeWork Procedure is in compliance with our COR Certification