Working Alone

Purpose: 

The purpose of the JIBC’s Working Alone procedure is to provide for measures to protect the health and safety of, and minimize risk to, any employee working alone or in isolation.  Compliance with this Procedure helps to ensure the JIBC demonstrates due diligence and operates within Occupational Health and Safety Regulations as outlined by the BC Workers Compensation Act.  This Procedure will guide you through the process to ensure employee safety when working alone or in isolation

Definitions:

Working Alone - Refers to work carried out by a person where there are no means of visual or verbal contact with another person.  Individuals are considered to be working alone when they are working by themselves in an office, workshop or any area owned, leased or operated by the Institute.  Assistance, in the event of an injury, illness or emergency, is not readily available to the individual.

Emergency Assistance - Means of communication to gain assistance in the event of an emergency involving an accident or serious injury, illness or threat of violence.

Hazard - Situation, condition, process, material or tool that may cause an injury or illness to an employee.

Hazard Assessment - Procedure, which helps integrate, required Occupational Health & Safety principles and practices into a particular work task.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Supervisor:

1. Identify individuals required to work alone.
2. Perform a risk assessment to identify hazards and assess risks.
3. Take any necessary steps to eliminate the hazards, if possible.
4. Ensure the employee understand the Working Alone Procedures.

Department Head / Director / Dean:

1. Provides the resources and direction required to support the Working Alone Procedure.

Employee:

1. Participates in the evaluation of the risks associated with tasks which involve persons working alone
2. Follows the Working Alone Procedures
3. Advises the Supervisor of any arising concerns.

OH&S Committee:

1. Act as a resource and provide guidance to departments and supervisors conducting hazard assessments.
2. Revise the Working Alone procedure as required.

Procedures:

1. At the beginning of the work shift, the employee working alone will contact the Security Companies mobile driver at the number provided by the Facilities Department to notify the mobile driver of their arrival to the worksite, provide the mobile driver with their cell phone number and to start the call in cycle.
2. The employee shall call the mobile driver every 2 hours.  If the worker started his or her shift at 8:00 am then they would call the mobile driver at 10:00 am, 12:00 noon, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, etc.
3. At the end of the work shift the employee working alone shall contact the mobile driver and advise them their work shift has finished and they are leaving the site.
4. In the event the employee has missed his or her call in by 20 minutes the mobile driver shall attempt to contact the employee on the cell phone number previously provided.
5. If the employee does not respond to the call the mobile diver will attend the site to check on the worker.
6. If the mobile driver finds the employee injured he will call 911 to request medical assistance and remain with the employee until the appropriate authorities arrive.
7. The mobile driver will maintain a record of each check-in call and forgotten call for each employee working alone.
8. This record log will be forwarded to the appropriate JIBC Facilities employee who will retain these records in electronic format for 7 years.
9. Charges incurred by a working alone employee forgetting to contact the mobile driver will be coded to the employees cost center.