In British Columbia, a person is deemed to be a lone worker when they do not have assistance readily available to them in the event of injury or emergencies. This includes workers on remote oil & gas sites, social services staff, real estate agents, security guards, HVAC technicians, delivery drivers and many more roles across almost every industry.
In many cases, lone workers in BC are performing dangerous tasks. If they are injured and no one can hear their cry for help, the hazard is even more significant. Equipping a lone worker with a cellphone is an excellent first step but relying on a phone call or text message is not enough to comply with provincial standards, especially for those working where there’s weak or no cell reception.
The Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia, WorkSafeBC, is the regulatory body in British Columbia responsible for the prevention of occupational injury and disease. WorkSafeBC sets the standard for lone worker compliance for the province and outlines specific procedures to protect workers. With new technology options readily available, like SafetyAware, it’s now easier to stay connected with your workers –ensuring compliance while improving safety and productivity. Visit the link to find out more about British Columbia’s working alone policies and legislation.
Identify, eliminate, and control hazards
WorkSafeBC requires employers to identify any hazards before an employee can work alone. If risk were to present itself, the employer must eliminate, if not minimize the danger through administrative controls. Lone worker communication tools are an accepted method for employers to help reduce uncontrollable hazards.
Schedule check-ins
Employers must develop a written procedure that includes specific time intervals when lone workers must check-in. Using safety technology like SafetyAware, check-ins and escalation plans are automated, and a 24/7 monitor agent is always ready to assist. The solution includes multiple ways to communicate, such as a smartphone app, wearables, and satellite devices.
Train employees
Employees need to be aware of the hazards of their job order to avoid injury and to ensure their well-being. A good lone worker solution goes beyond a simple check-in procedure and prepares teams for the worst-case scenario with pre-defined responses for emergencies.
Integrate lone worker technology into your current policy
Technology like SafetyAware can seamlessly integrate with your lone worker policy and eliminate time wasted using a manual call-in system. Also, BC legislation requires the check-in procedure for lone workers to be reviewed annually and updated to account for any changes in the work environment. Aware360’s SafetyAware platform allows employers to quickly update their lone worker check-in schedule and emergency procedure, ensuring compliance and safety.
How Does SafetyAware Protect Lone Workers
About Aware360
Aware360 understands people are the most important part of a workplace and strive to provide the tools to ensure they will have help whenever it’s needed. Driven by our passion for people, Aware360 creates solutions to connect people with personal technology, to those who care and can help. This ensures people are safe, especially where they are exposed to social, environmental or health risks.
From workers in the most remote locations to delivery drivers in urban areas, we provide the technology and response network to ensure their safety anywhere in the world. That’s the power of our PeopleIoT™ solutions.
Related articles