In the Office RMM 304

Working alone in an office implies that the worker is isolated from other colleagues and/or has no access to emergency assistance should anything happen.

The technicalities of the work (computer work, filing etc), do not themselves pose a high risk of personal safety, however the location and environment at the time the solitary work is undertaken might.

If the latter is the case, the Supervisor is to create a 'Local Working Alone Policy' to address these risks and submit that policy to their local joint health and safety committee for review.

Once reviewed, the Supervisor is to incorporate that policy into their unit documents. Each worker in the unit reviews and signs off on the document initially and upon every update. The Supervisor is to review the Local Working Alone Policy annually and note the last review date on the document.

Here is an older template for offices.

Here is a working alone risk assessment document to help identify the level of risk of working alone situations, and understand what controls and documentation may be required.

Please contact fhsso@mcmaster.ca for assistance.

In the Laboratory RMM 304

Working alone in a laboratory implies that the worker is isolated from other colleagues and/or has no access to emergency assistance should anything happen.

This may also include handling of hazardous materials by themselves, even if the area is populated. The hazardous material may have an upper volume, concentration or weight limit that a person may not handle it alone.

All lab occupants must be competent to clean up any spill independently for which they have been approved to use alone.

In any case where solitary work may pose a moderate to high risk to personal safety, the Supervisor is to create a 'Local Working Alone Policy' to address these risks and submit that policy to their local joint health and safety committee for review.

Once reviewed, the Supervisor is to incorporate that policy into their unit documents. Each worker in the unit reviews and signs off on the document initially and upon every update. The Supervisor is to review the Local Working Alone Policy annually and note the last review date on the document.

Laboratory work which takes place off campus and outside any affiliate location such as a hospital, then the work requires also to be reviewed under RMM 801.

Here is an older template for labs.

Here is a working alone risk assessment document to help identify the level of risk of working alone situations, and understand what controls and documentation may be required.

Please contact fhsso@mcmaster.ca for assistance.

In the Clinic RMM 304

Working alone in a clinic implies that the worker is isolated from other colleagues and/or has no access to emergency assistance should anything happen.

This may also include working with the public, patients or clients with no other colleagues present. If this latter activity has a likelihood of resulting in personal harm (money or narcotics are present on site), then a working alone document should be created for this activity.

In any case where solitary work may pose a moderate to high risk to personal safety, the Supervisor is to create a 'Local Working Alone Policy' to address these risks and submit that policy to their local joint health and safety committee for review.

Once reviewed, the Supervisor is to incorporate that policy into their unit documents. Each worker in the unit reviews and signs off on the document initially and upon every update. The Supervisor is to review the Local Working Alone Policy annually and note the last review date on the document.

Please verify with your hospital partner if one is already created for your area. Contact fhsso@mcmaster.ca to allow us to review and recommend a process for blended implementation of working alone at a hosted site.

Updated 2022-05-09