Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHUR130-017 Working in Isolation or After HoursCITY PROCEDURE Procedure Title: Working in Isolation or After Hours Procedure Number: HUR 130-017 Reference: Occupational Health & Safety Act Date Originated: January 30, 2009 Date Revised: Approval: Chief Administrative Officer Point of Contact: Coordinator, Health & Safety Procedure Objective The purpose of this procedure is to ensure the safety and protection of workers who work alone, whether due to the nature of their work duties or the conditions of their employment. In particular, this procedure describes the systems that should be put in place to provide assistance to a worker, as soon as possible, when that worker is injured, in danger, subject to criminal violence or threats of violence, or any other adverse situation. Index 01 Definitions 02 Procedures 01 Definitions 01.01 Working Alone or in Isolation An employee is working alone when he or she is working at a work location in the absence of any other worker employed by the City of Pickering, and is working in isolation when that person is beyond the line of sight or voice contact with another person. 01 Procedures 02.01 Facility Specific Processes Each facility will develop processes for employees who are required to work in isolation or alone. Such processes will include a system of reporting in to work, and regular check -ins. 02.02 Risk and Hazard Assessment A significant number of job functions require employees to work alone. Each employee and each employee's supervisor must assess the potential hazards and risks associated with the employee's job functions while the employee is required to work alone. Each such employee, together with his or her supervisor, must develop procedures to address each risk or hazard inherent to the job that may arise while the employee is working alone. In particular, specific steps must be established for each situation where a worker is required to work alone in order to: a) determine the conditions or circumstances which may result in misfortune to the employee working alone and establish procedures to reduce the probability of such misfortune, and b) provide prompt assistance to an employee who is working alone in the event of an injury or other type of misfortune. Prior to permitting an employee to work alone, a supervisor should ensure that the employee is familiar with all emergency procedures, including the locations of all access and escapes from buildings, the location of onsite fire safety equipment and alarms, the location of first aid stations or kits, emergency telephone procedures (including 911 services), and all points of contact for regular check - ins. Procedure Title: Working in Isolation or After Hours Page 2 of 3 Procedure Number: HUR 130-017 02.03 High Risk and High Hazard Positions Where the potential hazards associated with an employee's job function is high, all efforts should first be taken to assess whether it is necessary for the employee to work alone. When working alone cannot be avoided, extra steps should be taken to ensure that the employee maintains frequent and regular contact with at least one other person who is not in the same work location. A regular call-in or open line radio system should be established. At any time that the employee changes locations, he or she must call-in to report the change in location. Whenever an employee misses a scheduled call-in, steps should be taken to contact the employee. When efforts to contact the employee are unsuccessful, emergency services should be requested to locate the employee and confirm his or her safety. Certain high hazard jobs or job tasks may never be performed alone. Included in these is Confined Space Entry work (see the Confined Space Entry Procedure) and work in and around waterways. 02.04 Low Risk and Low Hazard Positions Where potential hazards associated with an employee's job function is low, the employee should only work alone with the prior permission and knowledge of his or her supervisor. Even if the risk or hazard potential of the work is low, a procedure should be established between the employee and his or her direct supervisor for regular contact. At a minimum, an employee should check in at the beginning of a period of working alone and should repeat contact whenever moving from one work location to another and whenever leaving work. The frequency of contact should be determined by the relative risk associated with the job. Whenever an employee misses a scheduled call-in, steps should be taken to contact the employee. When efforts to contact the employee are unsuccessful, emergency services should be requested to locate the employee and confirm his or her safety. Procedure Title: Working in Isolation or After Hours Page 3 of 3 Procedure Number: HUR 130-017