Working Alone Legislation for Manitoba

In Manitoba, employers must comply with Part 9 of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, which applies to every workplace where workers work alone or in isolation. Employers must identify (and where reasonable) eliminate or reduce the risks associated with working alone, in consultation with the workplace committee, representative, or workers. Employers must also develop and implement safe work protocols, train workers on those procedures, and ensure they are followed consistently. These procedures must include an effective communication system and may require regular contact, activity restrictions, additional training, and emergency supplies for extreme weather. Procedures must be posted at the workplace and reviewed at least every three years, or sooner when workplace circumstances change in a way that could affect worker safety or health.

Work Alone Resources for Manitoba

Codes of Practice

Part 9 — Working Alone or in Isolation

9.1 Application

This Part applies to every workplace where a worker works alone or works in isolation.

9.2 Risk Identification

9.2(1) Identifying Risks

When a worker works alone or works in isolation, an employer must identify the risks arising from the conditions and circumstances of the worker’s work in consultation with:

(a) the committee at the workplace;

(b) the representative at the workplace; or

(c) when there is no committee or representative, the workers at the workplace.

9.2(2) Risk Reduction

An employer must, so far as is reasonably practicable, take steps to eliminate or reduce the identified risks to workers working alone or working in isolation.

9.3 Safe Work Procedures

9.3(1) Employer Responsibilities

An employer must:

(a) develop and implement safe work procedures to eliminate or reduce the identified risks to workers working alone or working in isolation;

(b) train workers in the safe work procedures; and

(c) ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures.

9.3(2) Required Procedures

The safe work procedures must include:

(a) An effective communication system consisting of:

(i) radio communication;

(ii) telephone or cellular phone communication; or

(iii) any other means that provides effective communication given the risks involved.

(b) One or more of the following measures:

(i) a system of regular contact by the employer with the worker working alone or in isolation;

(ii) limitations on or prohibitions of specified activities; or

(iii) the establishment of training requirements.

(c) Where applicable, the provision of emergency supplies for use in travelling or working under conditions of extreme cold or other inclement weather conditions.

9.3(3) Posting Procedures

An employer must post a copy of the safe work procedures in a conspicuous place at the workplace.

9.3(4) Review and Revision

An employer must review and revise the procedures not less than every three years, or sooner if circumstances at a workplace change in a way that poses a risk to the safety or health of a worker working alone or in isolation.

Key Requirements

Manitoba requires employers to identify and control the risks associated with working alone or in isolation, develop safe work procedures, train workers, and ensure those procedures are followed. The procedures must include an effective communication system and may require regular contact, restrictions on certain activities, additional training, and emergency supplies for severe weather.

Procedures must be posted at the workplace and reviewed at least every three years, or sooner when workplace circumstances change in a way that could affect worker safety or health.