Safety Talk - Working Alone

In health and safety terms, working alone is defined as any work activity that is carried out in isolation from supervisors and other workers by an individual. It can include activities such as advertising sales calls, reporting and photographing, the delivery of publications, travelling to off-site training and meetings, being alone in the office at any time, working at a site where assistance is not readily available, working where there is no direct contact with a co-worker or supervisor. The potential risks of working alone include: Personal injury Violence and assault actual or attempted Automobile accidents with or without injuries. Factors to consider when assessing working alone hazards: The length of time the worker will be working alone What forms of communications are available? Location of the work in a remote or isolated location, in a dangerous part of town? Type or nature of the work is it a high risk activity, such as working at heights, operating equipment, handling money, entering hazardous environments? Characteristics of the individual working alone do they have a pre-existing medical condition that may increase the risk? Does the individual have adequate levels of experience and training to deal with problems that might arise? These strategies will improve your level of personal safety while working alone (and they can apply to being alone off-the-job, too): Always tell your supervisor where you are going, who you are meeting and when you expect to return. Record the name and contact details of people you are meeting. Take a copy of this information with you, and leave a copy at your desk. Have some means on you to allow you to reach assistance in the event of an emergency or to contact your supervisor if your plans change. Arrange to meet clients in a safe environment such as a restaurant, hotel lobby or their office/workplace (provided other workers are present). Do not enter a building, particularly someone else's home, if you don't feel comfortable or safe. If you must meet inside a clients home, take another employee with you. Make a personal investment in an emergency road service plan, either through your vehicles manufacturer, OnStar, or some other agency such as Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Plan your route so you know where you are going and how to get there. Carry extra work equipment, (e.g. clothing, work shoes) and emergency supplies in your car. A first aid kit, bottled water and blanket are essential. Lock valuables in your car trunk, e.g: purses, laptops, camera equipment, cheques/money, samples or prizes, while you are in your car, and especially if you will be leaving your vehicle.
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Be alert and make mental notes of your surroundings when you arrive at a new place. Do not enter any situation or location where you feel threatened or unsafe. Your supervisor respects your right to refuse unsafe work, and will not discipline you for invoking it. If you encounter unsafe conditions at a clients home or workplace vicious dogs, icy walkways or stairs, etc. - contact the client by phone, if possible, to advise him/her that you cannot approach their property until they remove the hazard. Do not carry weapons of any type, including pepper spray. Weapons can be easily used against you and are illegal in some jurisdictions. If you take ill or are injured while out of the office, do your best to notify your supervisor or the receptionist at your office. Put a card in your wallet with the office phone number on it, and instructions to call in the event of an emergency. Or program your cell phone with an ICE number for your supervisor. EMS personnel will look for this information on you.

Report all accidents, near misses and incidences of violence to your supervisor immediately, so the correct actions can be taken. If you cannot be located, efforts will be made to contact you. Clients or worksites on your plan will be contacted to determine your last known location. If you wish to plan out personal safety strategies for any at-risk tasks you perform, please consult with your supervisor.

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Supervisor's Meeting Record

Health & Safety Talks
Topic: Date:

Working Alone
April _______, 2012 Division / Department: _________________________________

Meeting was conducted by: ____________________________________________________________

Each participant is required to sign below indicating that they were in attendance, had an opportunity to ask questions, and understand the material that was presented. Today's meeting was attended by: PRINT YOUR NAME LEGIBLY HERE ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ SIGN HERE ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Please record any other Health and Safety issues (close calls, hazards, high risk situations) you discussed with your staff during this meeting : _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: A record is to be kept on file and a copy is to be forwarded to the H&S Manager
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