Working alone guideline

Working alone under certain circumstances can increase an individual’s risk to health and safety. Measures to assess, communicate and mitigate such risks must be implemented to effectively manage risk related to this type of activity.

Download the Working Alone Plan (fillable PDF).

Purpose

While there are legal restrictions (Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act and related regulations) where working alone is prohibited in specific conditions on the basis of risk to health and safety, to support ongoing research and operational activities, the University, in its risk management framework will establish safety standards with respect to working alone for University faculty, staff and students.

Scope

This guideline applies to all faculty, staff, students and visitors performing work or participating in University activities on or off campus, including field research activities, under the direction of an authorized member of the University community.

This guideline and procedure should be used where an activity has the potential to result in exposure to hazardous materials or equipment, or to environments that pose a risk of injury or illness due to violence or hazardous conditions. 

Definitions

Working Alone:  Working by oneself such that assistance is not readily available should some injury, illness or emergency arise. Alone is interpreted as being out of visual or verbal contact, and when contact cannot be expected from another person for more than an hour. It includes working in physical isolation, e.g. as the sole occupant of a laboratory or at a field work site, where no other person is in the vicinity (i.e. within limited range or earshot). It can occur during normal working hours as well as in the evening, overnight or during weekends.

Roles and Responsibilities

In keeping with the University’s Health, Safety and Environment Management System:

Academic and academic support directors/chairs/heads should:

• Ensure that faculty, staff and students are aware of, and have been trained on the requirements for working alone
• Ensure that risk assessments have been conducted and appropriate controls put into place
• Establish general rules for working alone within the unit

Faculty and supervisors should:

• Identify situations where workers, including themselves, work alone and conduct risk assessments accordingly
• Develop appropriate controls to mitigate risk at the individual and/or project level
• Ensure that all individuals receive training and instruction in the details of the safety protocol or Standard Operating Procedure

Workers, students and other persons working alone should:

• Obtain supervisor approval before working alone
• Participate in the risk assessment and development of controls related to working alone
• Follow the protocol put into place and adhere to safe work practices
• Advise of any change in conditions, circumstances or deficiencies in the protocol or safe work practices

Procedures

1. Working alone, especially after regular business hours, should be avoided whenever possible.

2. Working alone requires supervisor/PI knowledge or approval.

3. Approval for working alone or after normal hours must consider:

• Tasks and hazards involved in the work
• Consequences resulting from a worst-case scenario
• The possibility of an incident or injury that would prevent an individual from calling for help
• The individual’s training and experience level
• The time the work is to be conducted
• Access to emergency assistance

4. Conduct a risk assessment using the Working Alone Plan (fillable PDF) to identify the hazards involved and safety protocols in place.