Working Alone and the General Duty Clause under the OHSA
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Did you know that employers are obligated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in s.25(2)(h) to take every reasonable precaution for safety?
It’s true, and it’s what’s known as the General Duty Clause. Workers who work alone some or all of the time, or who work alone in home offices, are covered by the General Duty Clause. This means that employers who have workers that work alone must take special precautions to keep those workers safe. |
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Risk assessments, regular inspections, and a safety program that consists of policies and procedures are just some of the things that employers are responsible for to help lone workers be safe
Who Works Alone?
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For those who are used to working in a staffed office, busy factory, or construction site with lots of contractors, the concept of working alone may seem unfamiliar. But, for many workers, working alone is a reality. The number of workers who alone has increased substantially recently as well, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the push to have more employees work from home when possible. There are many types of work that require workers to work alone, such as:
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A pandemic plan is a plan that protects against the worst-case scenario. It’s a plan you hope you’ll never need. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has proven, pandemics can happen, and they can have a sudden, lasting, and very drastic effect on your business. Regular review of your pandemic plan should be part of your annual strategic planning.
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Risk Assessments can identify hazards and risks to keep workers safe
What are the Employer's Responsibilities?
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To keep lone workers safe, employers must complete a risk assessment. This will help employers understand the hazards and associated risks that might exist. For example, there are more risks for workers who:
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Once the hazards and risks have been determined, a strong health and safety program is needed. The program should consist of a:
Learn more about conducting workplace inspections in today’s virtual world. |
In addition to risk assessments, regular inspections, and a safety program that consists of policies and procedures, employers should ensure that they provide other resources that will help lone workers be safe.
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Alarms and Alerts: These may alert workers that someone else is onsite (such as an alert that sounds when a door opens), or they might give workers a way to silently indicate that help is needed (such as silent police/security calls). This could also key-fobs or swipe card access that allows workers to control who enters the premises. Employers must provide these if they are vital to worker safety.
Barriers: Physical barriers are a practical safety option when workers are at risk for physical violence or being struck by an object that has been thrown. If barriers are required, employers must install them. In the wake of COVID-19, barriers now serve a dual purpose to protect workers (including those who do not work alone) from the transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses. |
Emergency Response Plans that Include Emergency Phone Numbers and Procedures: Workers must know what to do in an emergency. They work alone, so there is no one around to ask. Have emergency phone numbers posted and be sure that lone workers know who to call if they need assistance. This is important for employees that work at home, too. They need to know what to do and who to contact for a personal or work-related emergency.
Training: Employers must provide training to workers who work alone. It should include specific policies and procedures training and emergency response training, along with any other applicable training. Check-Ins: As a rule of thumb, the home office should offer the same level of safety as the workplace. For those who work from home, isolation isn’t necessarily a hazard. The risk is that something may happen while the employee is alone, such as a medical emergency or fall. To combat this, employers are encouraged to check in regularly. |
Employers who have workers that work alone must take special precautions to keep those workers safe
Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting
You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs. We offer:
Check out our training calendar to see training coming up in your area!
To ask to learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
Check out our training calendar to see training coming up in your area!
To ask to learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
Last updated February 15, 2022
