Working Alone Safety Program

The Working Alone Safety Program establishes requirements for protecting employees who perform work alone or in isolated locations where immediate assistance may not be readily available. Lone workers may face increased risk when emergencies, injuries, medical events, equipment failures, workplace violence, hazardous conditions, or unexpected changes occur without another employee nearby to provide assistance. The program emphasizes lone worker safety, hazard assessment, communication, check-in procedures, emergency planning, and appropriate work restrictions before employees are authorized to work alone. The program addresses working alone hazards, lone worker risk assessments, communication devices, scheduled check-ins, emergency contacts, remote work locations, after-hours work, personal security, and emergency response procedures. Supervisors must evaluate the work, location, environmental conditions, available communications, expected duration, and potential hazards to determine whether working alone can be performed safely. Certain high-risk activities may require a buddy system, attendant, spotter, or additional personnel and must not be performed alone. Employees working alone must maintain reliable communication, follow established check-in procedures, immediately report changing or unsafe conditions, and know how to summon emergency assistance. The program also addresses missed check-ins, escalation procedures, employee training, incident reporting, and periodic review to help reduce risks associated with lone workers and isolated work.