WorkSafeBC

Employees who work alone or in isolation face an increased risk of confrontations or even violence, particularly if they are on shift during late night hours. For example, a lone retail worker may be more vulnerable when dealing with angry, difficult, or abusive customers. Even if an incident doesn't lead to a physical confrontation, it can still be stressful or emotionally traumatic for the worker. And if a lone worker is injured or an emergency occurs, how does the worker get help?

Part 4 of the OHS Regulation and Guidelines: Working Alone or In Isolation

Part 4: General Conditions - Working Alone or in Isolation
Effective February 1, 2008

• Working Alone or in Isolation Poster (PDF 374 KB)
• OHS Regulation Part 4 Working Alone or in isolation
• Guidelines Part 4 Working Alone or in isolation
• Frequently asked questions  
  Answers to questions about the new regulation, working alone late night retail premises, and prepaying for fuel.

Update to Part 4 effective April 15, 2012

• G4.22.1-3 Late night retail - Violence Prevention Program
• Employer's Guide Reference guide for employers regarding the amendments in section 4.22.1 of the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 
• Pay before you pump sign:
  PDF (483 KB) 9in. x 11in.
  PDF (454 KB) 6in. x 9in.

If you have any questions about the new working alone or in isolation provisions or the new fuel prepayment provisions, please contact a WorkSafeBC prevention office in your area.

Lone Worker Protection
	To make every minute count in an emergency, a lone worker alarm system is being piloted at a wastewater treatment plant in Metro Vancouver. Source: WorkSafeBC Video (2 min 43 sec)

Working Alone: A handbook for small business
	This handbook is for employers who have employees working alone or in isolation. It explains how to identify and minimize hazards for those employees and how to regularly check on their well-being. Source: WorkSafeBC * PDF (1.8 MB) * Order print version
Retail Business Safety Tip 1: Working Alone
	This poster can be used by employers as part of training, crew talks, safety meetings, or as part of safety orientation for new workers. Source: WorkSafeBC * HTML

External Resources

Working Alone
Uses a question-and-answer format to discuss the administrative details needed for lone workers in general, including check-in procedures and hazard assessment.
Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety)
* HTML

Work Related Violence - Lone Worker Case Studies
These case studies were developed by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to show real examples of how employers have tackled the problem of violence to lone workers.
Source: HSE (Health & Safety Executive), UK
* HTML

Worker Safety
This video shows steps a revenue recovery agency takes to make sure their lone workers are safe.
Source: Business Link Gov Channel, UK
* HTML

Lone Working: A survival guide preview (video)
A video for lone workers and their employers.
Source: LukasLiveMedia, UK
* HTML

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