Forest Operations > Operational Hazards > Working Alone

Working Alone

In forest operations tree fellers, some truck drivers and plant operators work alone, or out of the site or hearing of other people.

The risk of injury or harm to people who work alone may be increased because of difficulty contacting emergency services.

A person is alone at work when they can’t be seen or heard by another person, and when they cannot expect a visit from another worker or member of the public for some time (Fig18).

The following are taken into account when identifying the hazards and assessing the risks of injury for people who work alone:

• The length of time the person may be working alone;
• The time of day;
• Communication options;
• The nature of the work;
• Ability and character of the person.

Fig 18 Working miles away from anywhere and alone

Working alone should be avoided wherever possible.

If it cannot be avoided then safe systems of work need to include:

• Agreed start and finish times, including departure for and from the location;
• There should be either voice or visual contact before starting work;
• There should be regular and pre-arranged voice or visual contact between worker and supervisor at intervals not greater than two hours.

Is it against the law for a person to work alone?

The answer to that is No, however the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 contains general duties and responsibilities placed upon employers and workers to ensure their safety at work.

These duties extend to workers working alone.

The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 lay down requirements with respect to communication with workers who are isolated from others while on the job.

The table below (Table 11) is an overview of regulations from the Act.

 

An overview for Working alone
General duties in the Act	Employers must have in place safe working procedures for employees who work alone. Employers and self employed people are responsible for their safety when working alone. Employees are required to care for their own personal health and safety when working alone.
Identifying Hazards, Risk Assessment and control of Risk	Important processes in a three step approach to be used to create a safe working environment and reduce risks as far as possible. All actions to reduce risks should abide with relevant regulations where they exist.
Critical requirements for reducing risks for all workers who work alone	Employers must make sure that ways for communicating are available in case of an emergency, that there is a procedure for regular contact, and workers are training in the procedure.
Outcome	A person who can: Perform all work tasks safely without supervision; Control events that could occur when working alone; Obtain emergency assistance and follow procedures if required; Follow procedures regarding regular contact with a designated person. If the work is in an isolated place, a person can operate safely regardless of the lack of infrastructure and support (and at times in poor weather conditions).

Table 11