September 2, 2008
Having co-workers nearby who can look out for one another and deliver help in an emergency makes the workplace safer. In an ideal world, nobody would have to work alone. But there are times when working alone or in isolation can't be avoided. And some people (like me) actually prefer working alone. If you have workers who do their jobs on their own, you need to be aware of the risks they face and take steps to protect against those risks. Here's how you can do that.
Jobs that Require Working Alone or in Isolation
By their nature, some jobs require workers to work on their own, cut off from their co-workers. These include:
- Carpentry, construction, welding, plumbing and painting;
- Landscaping and lawn care;
- Cleaning;
- Snow removal;
- Farm work;
- Couriers, delivery drivers and other drivers;
- Store clerks;
- Cooks and bakers; and
- Healthcare workers (e.g., sleep lab technicians, receptionists, file and record clerks).
You can probably expand this list quite a bit, but you get the idea. These jobs aren't necessarily overly hazardous; but when some external factors are inserted into the equation, the hazardous nature that the job poses to a worker working alone increases.
The Risk Factors of Working Alone
The biggest single risk factor to a lone worker is when the work is done at night. Night workers seldom get enough sleep and this increases their level of fatigue. A fatigued worker is more likely to make mistakes, have lapses in judgment and thus get into accidents.
Other potential dangers when working alone include:
- Robbery and assault;
- Slip, trip, fall or similar injury;
- Sudden illness;
- Equipment malfunction and building issues; and
- Insect or animal attack.
5 Ways to Protect Workers Who Work Alone
There are at least five things you can do to protect any of your workers who work alone or in isolation.
1. Designate a Contact
One of the things that makes working alone so dangerous is that there's nobody there to hear your calls for help. This danger is easy to neutralize. Just make sure there are others nearby who can check on the worker or whom the worker can call if he gets into trouble.
2. Supply a Safety Alarm
Supply isolated workers with a hard-wired or wireless duress alarm that they can activate to alert others and summon assistance. Also consider some of the other alarms that are available. A web search for "personal safety alarms" will yield information on a variety of available alarms and systems. Since each situation is different, employers can choose the one that best meets their particular needs.
3. Require Regular Check-ins
When workers are working alone outside or at a remote off-site facility, there are more complex challenges. In some instances, the worker can make regular check-in calls via cell phone, landline, e-mail or two-way radio. Some personal alarms are also suitable for this application.
4. Establish Overdue Worker Procedures
Establish an "overdue worker" procedure that will mobilize a response in the event that the worker fails to call in at the designated time or doesn't respond to inquiry calls. The response can be from another worker or member of management at another site, private security agency, or, if the situation is serious enough, law enforcement.
5. Provide Ample Training
It is important to establish and review with the worker:
- All specific procedures for the job;
- Any hazards associated with the job or the jobsite; and
- Emergency procedures.
Conclusion
Working alone is not a desirable situation, but sometimes it may be the only option. When this is the case, you must take the necessary steps to protect the isolated workers and provide them with the means of summoning help in case of an emergency. And you need to be sure that there's always someone available to receive the call and respond to it in a timely way. |
