1. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Protecting Your Solo Workers Presented By
Kevin Whitaker
Safety Director
Ascent Safety Solutions

2. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Objectives
Recognize situations where you may be working alone.
Understand risks and circumstances that increase your risk of working alone.
Develop safety guidelines for controlling risks of working alone.
Realize that safety should be a constant.

3. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Definition “Employees that: work by themselves
without direct or close supervision
without contact with other employees
for an extended period of time.”

4. The only difference is no one is watching out for or over you.
WORKING ALONE SAFELY
The only difference is no one is watching out for or over you.

5. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Job Hazard Analysis
Develop a list of situations where you have worked alone.
Add a column of tasks and risks associated to your situations
List avoidance techniques you can use to minimize risks

6. WORKING ALONE SAFELY EXPOSURES Employee Environment Equipment
Materials
Accessibility

7. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Employee Exposures Condition Fatigue
Physical
Mental
Fatigue
Capacity and skill
Experience
Under the influence
Complacency
Convenience
Lack of focus or attention

8. Environmental Exposures
WORKING ALONE SAFELY
Environmental Exposures
Weather
Atmosphere
Lighting
Noise
Job site
Nature of your job tasks
Contractor’s safety culture

9. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Equipment Exposures Meets Applicable Standards
Current Condition
Maintenance
Application to your job
Ergonomic Considerations
Operational and Safety Training
Responsibility for equipment

10. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Material Exposures Chemicals Tools
Elevation devices
Electricity
Pressure vessels
Stored energy sources

11. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Accessibility Site Ingress Specific work area
Access by non essential people
Emergency access
Site Egress

12. RISK REDUCTION EQUIPMENT
WORKING ALONE SAFELY
RISK REDUCTION EQUIPMENT
Cell phone or other communication tool
Personal Protective Equipment
First aid kit
Insect/dog repellent
Gas monitors
Flashlight/matches

13. Safety Tips for Traveling
WORKING ALONE SAFELY
Safety Tips for Traveling
Ensure someone knows your schedule and locations
Dress and behave conservatively
Take only essential valuables
Avoid routine patterns
Assess parking, walking

14. Safety Tips for Traveling (continued)
WORKING ALONE SAFELY
Safety Tips for Traveling (continued)
Locate exits and stairwells
Stay at least one story above ground
Meet with designated persons only
Ask for photo ID
Pay attention when walking and driving
Use the three times rule – Three contacts separated by time and distance

15. WORKING ALONE SAFELY RISK EVALUATION Exposures
Frequency/duration of exposures
Potential injuries
Number of employees exposed to risks
Proximity of assistance

16. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Minimizing Risks
Can one employee do the job safely?
Fitness level of employee?
Has the employee been trained?
Does employee understand job and risks?
What is the threat of violence?
Need for periodic contacts?
Additional risk to women and teens?

17. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Periodic Contacts Schedule sharing Camera systems
2-way radio, beepers
Cell phones
Hard wire phones
Supervisor visits
Buddy system

18. WORKING ALONE SAFELY Innovative Ideas
Supervisor evaluates jobsite with employee prior to any lone visits.
Lab simulated work alone situations to observe/modify employees behaviors.
Regular personal safety perception surveys.
Regular, focused safety communications by safety department which elicits feedback from employee.

19. WORKING ALONE SAFELY
The only real difference between normal work situations and working alone is the lack of someone watching over you. Safety is a part of every job.

20. QUESTIONS? Kevin Whitaker Ascent Safety Solutions