Complying with Safety Regulations for Lone Workers in Alberta
Many companies who do not provide unique support for their lone workers have a difficult time adhering to working alone legislation. A common assumption is that their safety programs are already acceptable. Furthermore, other businesses might already have distinct programs for employees who work alone but find that their current procedures and policies negatively impact productivity. In this article, we will discuss methods for protecting your lone workers in compliance with legislation in Alberta, Canada.
Here’s how to protect your lone workers in Alberta
"Working Alone Safely: A Guide for Employers and Employees" was published in 2000. It is a report that was presented to the Minister of Human Resources and Employment in Alberta that outlines employers’ safety obligations to their employees. It also covers how businesses can comply with regulatory requirements for working alone. Here are four steps that employers must take to ensure the safety of their lone workers:
Identify and evaluate the potential hazards for lone workers: Regular and thorough examinations of the workplace will help identify any current safety hazards. These should be done both before and after a task is performed and any risks identified should be disclosed to staff.
Manage the risks for lone workers: Once the hazards have been identified, it’s crucial that employers take the necessary steps to get rid of safety hazards. In many instances, total elimination may not be possible, so procedures and protocols must be set in place to manage any unavoidable risks. By implementing a safety solution like SafetyLine, risks for your lone workers will be mitigated effectively using proactive check-in timers, emergency panic buttons, motion features, GPS maps, and voice and text messages.
Communication is key for lone worker: In the event of an emergency, it is essential that a worker be able to call for help. Good communication systems go beyond simply carrying a cell phone. Employees should also be able to rely on other devices, such as wearable panic buttons, to signal an emergency. Relying solely on a cell phone is risky. Using a check-in system can also ensure an employees’ safety at periodic intervals throughout the day. Employees should shorten their required check-in times when working in a more hazardous environment. Furthermore, real-time data should be incorporated in your company’s communication systems. Knowing the time of the emergency, previous check-ins, specific job activities, and condition of the employee can help monitors respond in an efficient and effective way.
Provide employees with a proper training regime:Safety procedures will only be as effective as those employees who implement them. Training, awareness, and proper education about safety hazards will ensure that your company’s safety procedures are well-executed, understood, and used to their full potential.
18th Annual Alberta Health and Safety Conference
On February 6 and 7, we'll be attending the 18th Annual Alberta Health & Safety Conference in beautiful Banff, Alberta. Come by and say hello.
Alberta, Canada work alone regulations
For more information on Alberta's provincial regulations for working alone and/or isolation please visit our Canadian Work Alone Regulations resource page.