According to Safe Work Australia, anyone carrying out work activities without direct support or supervision from supervisors or colleagues is considered a lone worker. Essentially, if an employee cannot be seen or heard by a colleague, they are considered to be working alone, whether for the entire or part of their workday. This could range from healthcare workers conducting home visits to truck drivers on long-distance routes and there are many other professions where lone working is common.
An article by OHS Reps goes into detail about the risk a remote worker may face, stating that:
“People who work alone could be at increased risk through using machinery or handling chemicals without help or being placed under stress through social isolation. But, in legal terms, there is no simple answer which applies in all circumstances.”
There is no law that prevents employees from working alone, in many circumstances it is safe to do so. But lone working employees need the same level of safety as their non-lone working colleagues. Being a remote worker doesn’t mean you should compromise on your personal safety. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) states that:
Lone workers may be isolated from assistance due to their location, work schedule, or the nature of their tasks. As an employer in Australia, the model WHS Regulations (regulation 48) specifically addresses remote or isolated work.
This includes the requirement for employers to:
The holiday season is approaching and many of your employees will ask for some well-deserved time off. This means there will be less staff around. So, how can you ensure those remaining staff will be smart and WorkSafe this festive season?
Discover our guide for employees working alone. Explore risk assessment, communication strategies, and the role of WorkSafe Guardian in ensuring a secure work environment. Empower your lone workers with actionable tips for working alone safely.
In this blog post, we dive into the importance of establishing robust escalation pathways for lone workers. Learn why these protocols are crucial in today’s evolving work landscape, and how WorkSafe Guardian’s innovative features simplify compliance and enhance safety.
WorkSafe Guardian is an enterprise app-based lone worker safety solution, purpose-built to support at-risk employees. Our 24/7 professional response to safety and medical alerts, plus welfare check-ins, empowers employees to be proactive about their safety. Reduce your organisation's risk with WorkSafe Guardian.
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