Working Alone Legislation for Northwest Territories and Nunavut

In Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, employers must identify and control hazards associated with working alone and provide an effective communication system appropriate to the risks. In Nunavut, employers must provide a means of checking a lone worker’s well-being at intervals that provide adequate protection under the circumstances. Together, the territorial requirements emphasize risk assessment, effective communication and appropriate worker well-being checks, with specific requirements varying between the two jurisdictions.

Work Alone Resources for Northwest Territories and Nunavut

Northwest Territories — Working Alone or at an Isolated Work Site

33. Working Alone

33(1) Definition

In this section, “work alone” means to work at a work site as the only worker at that work site, in circumstances where assistance is not readily available in the event of:

Injury;

Ill health; or

Emergency.

33(2) Hazard Identification

If a worker is required or permitted to work alone or at an isolated work site, the employer must, in consultation with:

The Committee;

The representative; or

If no Committee or representative is available, the worker and other workers, identify the hazards arising from the conditions and circumstances of that work.

33(3) Risk Reduction and Communication

An employer must take reasonable measures to eliminate or reduce the risks posed by the identified hazards.

These measures must include establishing an effective communication system consisting of:

(a) radio communication;

(b) phone or cellular phone communication; or

(c) any other means that provides effective communication considering the risks involved.

Key Requirements

The Northwest Territories requires employers to identify the hazards associated with working alone or at an isolated work site and take reasonable measures to eliminate or reduce those risks.

The employer must also establish an effective communication system appropriate to the risks involved. The legislation specifically recognizes radio, telephone/cellular communication, or another effective communication method.

Northwest Territories — Communication-Based Requirements

The NWT requirements focus on hazard assessment, risk reduction and effective communication. Unlike some jurisdictions, the section does not require a specific universal check-in interval; the communication method should be appropriate to the risks associated with the work.

Nunavut — Persons Working Alone

14. Checking the Well-Being of Workers

Where a worker is employed under conditions where they might not be able to secure assistance if injured, the employer must provide a means of checking the well-being of that worker.

Checks must occur at intervals that, under the circumstances, provide adequate protection.

Key Requirements

Nunavut takes a concise but direct approach to working alone. Where a worker may be unable to obtain assistance following an injury, the employer must establish a means of checking the worker’s well-being at intervals appropriate to the circumstances.

The provision does not establish a fixed check-in period. Instead, the frequency of checks must provide adequate protection based on the circumstances of the work.

Nunavut — Check-In Requirements

The key obligation is to establish an appropriate worker well-being monitoring system when a lone worker may be unable to secure assistance. The required frequency is determined by the circumstances rather than a fixed statutory interval.