Working Alone

Alberta’s Working Alone legislation came into effect on October 4, 2000 and is now a requirement under Part 28 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code.  Its goal is to ensure that employers and workers take the necessary steps to assess and control risks associated with working alone.  

Recently the OHS Code was amended and changes were made to the working alone requirements.  As a result, communication contacts required in working alone situations must be initiated by an employer representative, not by the employee.

In order to assist University faculties, departments and units, EHS has updated its Working Alone Guideline and Template Procedure.  It is expected that supervisors, employees and students will use these tools to:

  • identify their working alone hazards
  • develop a written, site-specific working alone protocol, and
  • communicate working alone requirements

It is vital that we all do our part to ensure that we're identifying working alone hazards, evaluating our risks and implementing control measures to allow us to get help when the need arises. 

Please take the opportunity to review the Working Alone Guidelines and update the Working Alone Procedure for your workplace.

A Working Alone Assessment and Procedure is required if:

  • a worker is working alone at a work site, AND

  • assistance is not readily available if there is an emergency or the worker is injured or ill.

 

Useful Downloads:

Working Alone Guidelines

Working Alone Procedure Template

 

Have a question or need help with Working Alone?  Contact Safety Systems and Standards.