Alone on the resonant construction site, Mark tightened his grip on his hammer. Suddenly, a loose bolt caused a vibration that shook the steel structure and rattled Mark’s sense of security.
This incident highlights the critical importance of lone Worker policies and procedures on Canadian construction sites.
These protocols ensure that even when a site seems deserted, safety measures are in place to protect isolated workers.
Let’s explore what these policies look like and what you can do to abide by them.
What is a lone worker policy?
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety defines a “lone worker“ as someone who is working alone in a space where he is not heard or seen by others.
Lone workers may encounter certain risks during the performance of their daily jobs.
A lone worker policy is a set of rules a company puts in place to keep employees safe when they’re working by themselves. This can be anywhere from a quiet office at night to a remote construction site.
What responsibilities do employers have to ensure the safety of lone workers?
Regular Check-ins:
The employer must have a system for the employees to check in throughout their shift. This can be via calls, texts, or pre-arranged times to communicate the start and end of work.
Frequency:
The frequency of check-ins depends on the job’s risk level. Higher-risk jobs require more frequent communication.
Safe Work Procedures:
Employers should conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards specific to lone workers in their workplace. Based on the risk assessments, employers should develop clear procedures for safe work practices for lone workers.
Communication Protocols:
Establishing communication protocols like two-way radios, panic buttons, or phone calls ensures lone workers can reach help in case of emergencies.
Emergency Response Plans:
Clear plans outlining actions to take in case of accidents, injuries, or unforeseen situations are crucial.
Why is lone working policy important?
Increased safety:
When you’re working alone, there’s no one around to help if something goes wrong. An accident, injury, or even a sudden illness can become more serious without immediate assistance.
The check-ins mandated by lone worker policies ensure someone knows about the situation and can send help quickly.
Legal compliance:
In Canada, some provinces or territories have specific regulations regarding lone worker safety. Having a documented lone worker policy demonstrates that a company is following these regulations and taking steps to keep their employees safe.
What are the challenges for lone workers?
Safety risks:
Lone workers are more susceptible to accidents, injuries, and violence due to the lack of immediate help. This can be anything from a slip and fall on a remote job site to an assault while working alone at night.
Here are more examples of safety risks for lone workers:
- Slips, trips, and falls due to hazards or uneven surfaces.
- Electrocution from faulty equipment or exposed wiring.
- Strains or sprains from lifting heavy objects without assistance.
- Entrapment or suffocation in confined spaces.
- Burns from fires or hot surfaces.
- Exposure to harmful chemicals or gases.
- Machinery accidents resulting from lack of supervision.
- Physical assaults or attacks from intruders.
- Etc.
Isolation and mental strain:
Working without colleagues can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and decreased morale. Additionally, lone workers often carry the entire burden of decision-making, which can be mentally taxing.
Limited resources:
Lone workers may not have access to the same level of resources as their colleagues who work in teams.
This could include things like specialized equipment, support personnel, or even just someone to ask a quick question to.
What are the lone working policies and procedures in Canada?
Employers in Canada are required to develop and implement comprehensive lone working policies that comply with relevant occupational health and safety regulations.
These policies should address factors such as:
- the identification of lone working situations
- training requirements
- provision of appropriate safety equipment
- regular check-ins
- procedures for reporting incidents or emergencies.
Here we have listed the lone worker safety requirements for various provinces throughout Canada.
| Province | Lone Worker Safety Requirements |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | Companies must create systems to ensure the safety of workers who are alone in office or on-site through time-interval checks and maintaining regular contact. |
| Alberta | Must ensure workers have reliable communication tools, such as radios or phones, and establish regular check-ins to mitigate the hazards associated with solitary work. |
| Quebec | Installing effective surveillance, whether continuous or intermittent. |
| Saskatchewan | Employers must ensure a safe work environment by implementing effective communication, hazard reduction measures, regular check-ins, proper training, and provision of necessary protective equipment. |
| Manitoba | Employers must establish procedures to identify risks, comply with regulations, and provide necessary devices, clothing, and personal protective equipment. |
| Ontario and Nova Scotia | Every precaution to protect lone workers (no specific regulations). |
Keeping lone workers safe with technology:
Ensuring the safety of employees working alone is a top priority. Accidents can happen unexpectedly, so maintaining communication and having clear emergency procedures is crucial.
Traditional methods, like paperwork and phone calls, can be unreliable.
Remote video monitoring offers a proactive approach to safeguarding lone workers by providing real-time surveillance and instant alerts in case of emergencies.
A top-notch live video monitoring center offers immediate detection and quick response with innovative AI solutions layered on video.
Relevant Cloud AI options to detect threats to lone workers include the following technologies:
Smoke and fire detection AI:
At the first signs of fire, an alarm is sent to the remote video monitoring center where diligent operators examine video footage.
As soon as the threat is confirmed, they send the right authorities on your premises, hence protecting lone workers on site.
Slip and fall detection AI:
When the AI layered over the camera footage detects a slip, trip, or fall, it triggers a video alarm to the remote security operations center.
Trained operators review the footage and, upon confirming the accident, quickly initiate the established procedure to assist the distressed lone worker.
Violence detection AI:
It leverages advanced AI to scrutinize video feeds in real-time. It detects potential violence or fights by examining movement patterns within each video frame.
Upon identifying an incident, the AI triggers an alert to promptly notify the security operations center, where skilled operators examine the video footage.
If violence is confirmed, they follow the appropriate SOP, ensuring swift action to protect lone workers.
Another useful service well-established remote video monitoring center offers is lone worker alarm response.
Sirix Lone Worker Alarm Response: Step-by-Step.
Sirix keeps your lone workers safe with their 24/7 Lone Worker Alarm Response Service.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1. Instant Alert:
When a lone worker triggers an alarm on their device (due to a fall, inactivity, or manual activation), it’s immediately communicated to our remote video monitoring center.
Step 2. Vigilant Watch:
A highly trained emergency response team is always on duty at the remote video monitoring center, ready to take decisive action the moment an alarm is received.
Step 3. Tailored Tactics:
Sirix doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. They have a customized emergency response plan for each client. This plan outlines the best course of action based on the situation.
Step 4. Guardian Move:
Depending on the situation and your plan, Sirix might contact local authorities, like police or paramedics, dispatch emergency responders directly to the lone worker’s location, or take other steps necessary to ensure the worker’s safety.
Step 5. Unyielding Care:
Sirix remains engaged until the situation is fully resolved, keeping you informed and ensuring help arrives promptly for your peace of mind.
This commitment means your lone workers are never truly alone—they have a dedicated team prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in any emergency.
Why choose Sirix’s lone worker alarm response?
24/7 availability:
Our security operations center is operational around the clock, ensuring constant vigilance.
Prompt action:
Immediate action is taken once an alarm is triggered, minimizing response time.
Customized emergency response:
Responses are tailored according to dynamic, client-specific workflows, ensuring that each situation is managed as per the client’s pre-established protocols.
Efficient authority dispatch:
When necessary, our operators are equipped to quickly dispatch local authorities or emergency services, facilitating rapid on-site assistance.
Elevated safety levels:
The combination of advanced technology and expert monitoring significantly increases the safety of lone workers in all environments.
Conclusion:
In Canada, lone worker policies are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals working alone. These policies establish procedures for regular check-ins, safe work practices, communication protocols, and emergency response plans.
Despite the challenges faced by lone workers, adherence to these policies and the use of services like Sirix’s lone worker alarm response and remote video monitoring combined with AI can significantly enhance safety and provide peace of mind.
Contact us today for a customized security solution for your lone workers!
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