19 Dec Stay Safe at All Hours – Working Alone Safety

Stay Safe at All Hours – Working Alone Safety

Working alone or during early morning, late-night, or remote operations can expose employees to hazards that may be more serious because immediate assistance is not readily available. Working alone safety requires advance planning, reliable communication, and established procedures for obtaining help during an emergency.

Guide for Discussion

Identify the Hazards

Before employees work alone, after hours, or at remote locations, evaluate the work and environment for potential hazards.

Consider:

• The type of work being performed.
• Location and accessibility of the work area.
• Vehicle and equipment hazards.
• Electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazards.
• Potential for falls or other serious injuries.
• Workplace violence or security concerns.
• Weather and environmental conditions.
• Availability of emergency medical assistance.
• Reliability of communication systems.
• How quickly another person could provide assistance.

Some high-hazard activities should not be performed alone. Follow company procedures regarding tasks requiring additional employees, attendants, spotters, or other protective measures.

Maintain Reliable Communication

Employees working alone must have an appropriate means of communicating when assistance is needed.

Depending on the location, this may include:

• Cell phones.
• Two-way radios.
• Landline telephones.
• Personal alarms or emergency notification devices.
• Other company-approved communication systems.

Test communication equipment before beginning work. Remember that cell phones and radios may not function reliably inside basements, concrete structures, confined areas, or remote locations.

Establish a Check-In System

A check-in procedure helps ensure someone recognizes when an employee may need assistance.

Before working alone:

• Tell the designated person where you will be working.
• Provide your expected route or work location when applicable.
• Establish scheduled check-in times appropriate for the hazards.
• Provide an expected completion or return time.
• Report significant changes in location or schedule.
• Know what will happen if you miss a scheduled check-in.

The designated contact should know when and how to initiate the company’s emergency response procedure if communication is lost.

After-Hours Security

Employees working before or after normal operating hours should remain aware of their surroundings.

• Follow established procedures for locking and securing doors and gates.
• Use designated entrances and exits.
• Park in well-lit areas when practical.
• Maintain adequate lighting along travel routes.
• Do not allow unauthorized persons into secured areas.
• Report suspicious persons or activities.
• Know the location of alarms, emergency exits, and safe areas.
• Avoid entering an area if conditions appear unsafe.

Employees should not place themselves at unnecessary risk to protect company property.

Remote and Mobile Work

Employees working at changing or remote locations should:

• Know the exact location or address whenever possible.
• Evaluate site conditions before beginning work.
• Maintain reliable communication.
• Keep communication equipment adequately charged.
• Inform the designated contact when moving to another location.
• Consider weather, road conditions, and accessibility.
• Know how emergency responders can reach the location.
• Maintain required emergency supplies in the vehicle or work area.

Emergency Preparedness

Before beginning work alone, know how to obtain assistance.

Employees should know:

• How to contact emergency services.
• How to report an emergency internally.
• The location of first-aid supplies.
• The location of an AED when one is provided.
• Emergency evacuation procedures.
• Where to go during severe weather or another site emergency.
• Who will respond if a scheduled check-in is missed.

Emergency equipment should be appropriate for the work and maintained in usable condition.

Personal Safety Devices

Depending on the hazards identified, additional controls may include:

• Personal panic alarms.
• Security cameras.
• Motion-activated or sensor lighting.
• Two-way communication devices.
• GPS or location-sharing systems authorized by the company.
• Access-control systems.
• Lone-worker monitoring devices.

These devices supplement established safety procedures; they do not replace hazard controls or proper emergency planning.

Before Working Alone

Ask yourself:

• Does someone know where I am?
• Have I identified the hazards of the work?
• Am I authorized to perform this task alone?
• Is my communication equipment working?
• Is there adequate lighting and safe access?
• Do I know the check-in procedure?
• Do I know how to summon emergency assistance?
• Can emergency responders locate and reach me?
• Do I know what to do if conditions become unsafe?

If the work cannot be performed safely alone, stop and contact your supervisor.

Remember

Working alone can increase the consequences of an emergency because help may not be immediately available. Plan the work, maintain communication, follow check-in procedures, and never perform a task alone when company procedures or the hazards require another person.