Staying Compliant with Lone Worker Safety Legislation, Regulations, and Industry Standards – Part 1
Table of Contents
Understanding lone worker safety requirements
Types of lone worker safety systems
Staying compliant with lone worker safety legislation
Differences between legislation, regulations, and industry standards in USA and Canada
Maintaining lone worker safety as an industry standard
In 2021, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that more than 5,000 people died from occupational injuries, which increased violent incidents from other people and animals. In Canada, workers face similar occupational safety hazards, particularly those who might work alone and in isolation, putting them in higher-risk work environments.
The hazards that lone workers may face vary by industry and job type. For example, a healthcare worker who performs home visits may face the risk of violence from clients or environmental hazards such as infection or exposure to hazardous materials. A utility worker who works at height may risk falling or being struck by falling objects. Therefore, employers must assess the risks and hazards specific to their lone workers and take steps to mitigate them.
In the USA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have specific regulations for lone workers. However, OSHA requires employers to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for their employees, including those who work alone or in isolation (OSHA, 2022). Additionally, several US states have their regulations that require employers to take specific steps to protect their lone workers.
Industry standards are also available to guide employers in promoting lone-worker safety. For example, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) developed a standard for lone worker safety (Z1610-17) that provides guidance on managing lone workers, risk assessment, communication, and monitoring systems. Similarly, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a standard for occupational health and safety (ISO 45001:2018) that includes requirements for managing lone workers.
Understanding lone worker safety requirements
Before we look at the safety requirements for working alone, we must first define what a lone worker is.
What is a lone worker?
A lone worker is someone who works in isolation or without direct supervision. This can even include people who work from home, those who work in remote locations, or those who work in environments where they are physically separated from and in circumstances where they are not within earshot, or line of sight of coworkers and emergency help is not readily available if they need it.
What hazards do lone workers face?
Due to these circumstances, lone workers may face the same dangers as teams of workers, but with much-elevated risk. Occupational safety hazards that lone workers face can include:
Dangerous slips, trips, and falls
Violence and assault from members of the public
Attacks from wildlife
Extreme weather and temperatures
Accidents traveling to remote sites
Stress from isolation
The occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, regulations, and industry standards will vary depending on your sector and where you work. As you will read further, and impact your organization and team in different ways.
Legal obligations of employers to protect lone workers
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their employees, including those who work alone or in isolation. This obligation includes the following:
Providing training and instruction on safe work practices and procedures
Conducting regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate hazards
Providing lone workers with appropriate safety equipment and personal protective equipment
Developing and implementing an emergency response plan in case of an incident or emergency
Types of lone worker safety systems
To address the diverse safety challenges that lone workers face, employers need to research the many types of advanced lone worker safety systems now available to help protect these people.
Manual lone worker safety procedures - phone calls or two-way radio systems:
This type of solution requires planning and the responsibility of employees to confirm their safety with the employer with manual check-ins and communication. While it is effective when diligently followed, it is at risk of human error and missed calls/communication.
Smart phone apps that can be used to send emergency alerts and location information to designate:
Unlike manual check-ins, an automated lone worker solution will eliminate the risk of human error, reminding the employee and employer to maintain communication and other safety measures. Automated systems also have valuable features like accurate location tracking and emergency panic buttons.
Location-based tracking systems that monitor the whereabouts of lone workers in real-time:
Using modern cellular technology, this system shows the employer where the lone worker is located, continually updating the location in real time while they are being monitored.
Personal safety alarm systems that allow workers to alert others if they are in danger:
Panic alarm systems come in several designs and formats. A panic button system is any device that alerts/communicates with their employer or monitors for help. It’s beneficial to provide several different panic alarms for many different situations. For example, SafetyLine provides an in-app panic button that alerts an emergency discreetly. Still, it also has shake-for-emergency, impact detection, and no motion identification features that will also request immediate help.
Unlike discreet emergency signals, personal safety alarms emit a loud, noticeable sound to either scare away/disorient a violent person or immediately attract the attention of somebody who can help. The personal safety alarm and panic buttons protect the lone employee effectively, but for different safety hazards and high-risk situations.
Staying compliant with lone worker safety legislation
Employers have a legal obligation to protect their employees' health, safety, and welfare, including those who work alone. In many countries, lone worker safety legislation has been put in place to ensure that employers take appropriate measures to protect the safety of lone workers. As an employer, it is essential to understand your legal obligations and take the necessary steps to comply with these regulations.
Whenever there is an update to local legislation, it is the employer’s responsibility not only to update their safety program with it but to educate staff and lone workers impacted by the change.
Differences between legislation, regulations, and industry standards in USA and Canada
Lone workers, or individuals who work alone without direct supervision, face unique safety risks in the workplace. To mitigate these risks, the United States and Canada have established laws, regulations, and industry standards that specifically address the safety of lone workers. While both countries share similar concerns regarding lone worker safety, however, there are differences in how legislation, regulations, and industry standards are established and enforced.
Legislation
Legislation is the law-making body of the government responsible for creating and enacting laws. In the United States, no federal legislation explicitly addresses lone worker safety. However, individual states may have legislation that mandates lone-worker safety protocols. In Canada, the federal government has enacted the Canada Labour Code Part II, which includes provisions for protecting lone workers. Provinces and Territories also have occupational health and safety legislation that may address specific needs for lone worker safety.
Regulations
Regulations are rules and guidelines created by government agencies to implement legislation. In the United States, regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) establish and enforce safety regulations for various industries. While there are no federal regulations for lone worker safety, OSHA and NIOSH have provided guidance and recommendations for protecting lone workers. In Canada, the federal government's Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides guidance on lone worker safety and the Canada Labour Code Part II requirements. Provinces and territories also have regulatory bodies that enforce occupational health and safety regulations.
Industry Standards
Industry standards are guidelines and best practices created by industry associations and organizations. In the United States, there are a variety of industry standards that address lone worker safety, including those established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) as an example. In Canada, industry associations such as the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (CSAM), and the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) provide guidance and best practices for lone worker safety.
While both countries have industry associations and organizations that provide guidance and best practices for lone worker safety, the specific guidelines may differ based on the industry, province, and/or state and the unique risks associated with a particular sector.
Maintaining lone worker safety as an industry standard
While there are differences between how these tools are established and enforced in the two countries, the ultimate goal is to ensure lone workers' safety and well-being. By understanding these differences, employers can work to establish effective safety protocols for their lone workers and help reduce the risk of injury or harm in the workplace.
An industry standard could include lone workers must always check in confirm their safety following a shift or never leaving a coworker alone in a confined space. While not enforceable by law, breaking an industry standard could result in license disqualification, damaged reputation, and poor employee retention and morale.
When developing or updating lone worker safety policies and procedures, industry standards must also be incorporated with safety legislation and regulations. They are usually communicated through the existing professional organization that supports the employees in that specific industry for specific workers.
Thank you for reading this article and learning about the important legislation, regulations, and industry standards that help keep lone workers safe. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. To gain a deeper understanding of this topic and learn more about how you can ensure the safety of lone workers in your organization, I encourage you to check out Part 2 of this series. You'll find even more valuable insights, tips, and resources that can help you protect your lone workers and keep your organization compliant with relevant regulations.
So don't wait – read more here: https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/lone-worker-safety-legislation-regulations-and-industry-standards-part-2