For many businesses, the need to keep overhead to a minimum can lead to situations where contractors or employees are alone at a worksite. Does working alone violate OSHA regulations? Our guide to lone worker safety answers pertinent questions about isolated jobs and provides practical solutions for business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employers have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of workers. This includes not putting employees into situations that are likely to be hazardous. When certain aspects of a job involve working in isolated environments, there must be safety procedures for lone workers. These can range from training programs to monitoring systems to emergency contact information signage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtually every industry has lone workers in some situations. It is especially common in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes working alone is temporary; other times it\u2019s a main part of the job description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The simplest definition of a \u201clone worker\u201d is an employee working alone. More broadly, this term refers to isolated working environments or situations where team members are physically separated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The obvious category of employees who need lone worker safety measures are those performing duties with no one else in the building. At some facilities, a single security guard spends hours completely alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some employees must travel to distant locations to work, including agricultural workers, industrial engineers and field service contractors. Not only are they separated from co-workers, but they\u2019re also far from their home cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The layout of industrial plants means tasks require some employees to work away from production lines and occupied areas. Even when there are numerous people in the building, some employees are alone in a particular area. Building maintenance staff are often in this position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Residential repair technicians interact with customers regularly, but they\u2019re still \u201cisolated\u201d from their employers, so lone-worker safety procedures apply. Delivery drivers are another example of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The high noise levels at construction sites and factories can create situations where employees are working nearby but can\u2019t see or hear each other. Welding visors, metal barriers, ear plugs and heavy machinery contribute to this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For most industries, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn’t provide any specific guidelines regarding lone worker safety. There are a few exceptions, though, for shipyards and power plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The OSHA 1915.84 standards for shipyard employment<\/a> require shipyard employers to ensure the safety of lone workers at regular intervals. They can use visual verification (in-person checks or cameras) or verbal communication (smartphones, two-way radios, etc.) to check on workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269, deals with electric power generation<\/a>, transmission, and distribution and requires some types of work in electrical power facilities, such as working with power lines, must be performed by at least two employees. OSHA 1910.269(b)(1) also stipulates that lone workers must be reachable in less than four minutes by another employee with CPR and first aid training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though OSHA doesn\u2019t specifically set out regulations for lone worker safety in other industries, it does require employers to provide safe working conditions. The general duty clause in OSHA Section 5(a)(1) states that employers must provide “a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jobs where lone work is necessary must have safeguards to protect employees. Safety signs, barriers, communication systems, protective gear and other precautions are essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many lone workers face real hazards to life and limb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These risks are always present for janitorial employees, plumbing contractors, construction workers and building maintenance crews. For example, a lone gas station employee can get injured if their duties include mopping or cleaning up spills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Falls from heights are especially dangerous. Safety systems are vital for lone workers on scaffolding, roofs or elevated platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A major threat to lone worker safety is the risk of losing consciousness. This can happen in many accidents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unconscious employees may stop breathing, making this type of emergency potentially life-threatening for lone workers who don’t receive prompt aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavy machinery can lead to crush injuries<\/a> or cause severe harm if clothing gets caught in moving parts. Personnel can get pinned down, unable to turn off equipment or call for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Welding equipment and hot surfaces can cause serious burns. Accidents with construction tools often cause lacerations that require urgent medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An often-overlooked consequence of working alone is muscle strain. Lone workers may try to lift heavy objects by themselves rather than wait for co-workers to arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step in creating a lone worker safety policy is performing a risk assessment. Determine which areas, tasks and roles are likely to expose solitary workers to danger. The solutions must be tailored to your business and workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even experienced professionals can forget things when tired. Warning signs remind lone workers of key dangers, such as the need to wear a hard hat, disconnect power sources or follow designated walkways<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every business should know where remote employees are at all times. Some companies promote lone worker safety by stipulating regular check-ins via smartphone or walkie-talkie. Supervisors may perform periodic walk-throughs to check on team members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When factory maintenance requires trips to isolated areas, video cameras can monitor employees remotely for added safety. Transportation businesses use GPS monitoring to track trucks and give drivers weather alerts to avoid crashes.<\/p>\n\n\nWhich Industries Need To Create Isolated Worker Safety Plans?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Does Your Business Have Lone Workers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alone in a Building<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At Isolated Locations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Working Separately<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Away From the Office<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Out of Sight or Hearing Range<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is It Against OSHA To Work Alone?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Shipyard Employees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Electrical Power Generation Facilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
General OSHA Guidelines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Risks of Working Alone?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trips, Slips and Falls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Loss of Consciousness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Physical Injuries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Do You Keep Lone Workers Safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Display Warning Signs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Improve Company Communications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use Monitoring Systems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n