Work alone !

Just because you’re working alone doesn’t mean you’re working without risk – in some cases, your risk may be even greater. Something goes wrong, no one’s there to help – that’s why employers should provide adequate training to ensure the health and safety of anyone working alone, such as by implementing a working alone policy.

Late-night retail workers, deliverymen, custodians, security guards, and many other professionals can be exposed to the risks of working alone on a frequent basis. Adapt these example steps in your own policy, to make sure your workers are safe and prepared:

• Perform a hazard assessment of the workplace, to spot any potential areas of risk that are especially heightened when alone
• Implement a coworker check-in policy, whereby late-night employees are contacted on a regular basis to make sure they’re safe – especially important in isolated environments.
• Where possible, assign multiple personnel to a late-night or remote job.
• Provide training to workers on what to do if they encounter potentially violent people on the job – here’s a safety talk on the hazards of working alone
• In especially isolated environments, provide a personal locator beacon with GPS capabilities – be sure to know how to legally use tracking devices
• Make sure there is ample lighting in the workplace and that workers are plainly visible to the public. The risk of attack is highest for employees unable to be seen by passers-by.
• Encourage workers to immediately report any situations where they feel their safety may be at risk.