An employee with the ability to work independently is an asset to any organization. Even more so is an employee with the ability to work independently and safely.
OSHA defines a lone worker as “an employee working alone, such as in a confined space or isolated location.” In addition, these employees are working without supervisors or co-workers' direct and immediate support. According to StaySafe, “If they cannot be seen or heard by a colleague, they are a lone worker—whether that be for all or part of their working day.” A report on lone worker safety from Berg Insight published in August 2021 states that there are an estimated 53 million lone workers between Canada, the U.S., and Europe combined. This number is only continuing to rise partly due to the increase in remote or hybrid work.
Lone workers perform their jobs on the road, in clients’ homes, in and around empty facilities, and even in the middle of the woods. Some of these employees may work in or around occupied facilities and still be considered as “lone workers” due to a lack of contact with co-workers.
Here are some tips you can use to ensure a safer working environment for those employees that spend some, or all, of their day unseen or unheard.
Review and update your policy at least annually to ensure any changes in hazards or risks are being addressed.
Normal hazards that our employees face on a daily basis become exponentially more dangerous when not having immediate support or assistance from co-workers or supervisors. It’s an employer's responsibility to have the necessary safeguards in place to ensure that their lone workers are kept safe from potential hazards in their unique and potentially ever-changing work environment.
If you would like support in developing a plan for your organization, please reach out to your Loss Control Consultant.