Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Alberta

As Canada is divided into federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions here is the legislation and policy pertaining to workers and lone workers in Alberta, including the associated work alone regulations.

If an employer has staff who work alone, the OHS code requires the employer to conduct a hazard assessment, implement safety measures, maintain contact at intervals appropriate to the nature of the work and have an effective way of communicating with their employer during an emergency.

Canada Occupational Health and Safety Code 2009

Part 28 Working Alone Application
393(2) Working alone is considered a hazard for the purposes of Part 2.

Precautions required:

394. 1 An employer must, for any worker working alone, provide an effective communication system consisting of

1. radio communication,
2. landline or cellular telephone communication, or
3. some other effective means of electronic communication that includes regular contact by the employer or designate at intervals appropriate to the nature of the hazard associated with the worker’s work.

394 (1.1) Despite subsection (1), if effective electronic communication is not practicable at the work site, the employer must ensure that;

1. the employer or designate visits the worker, or
2. the worker contacts the employer or designate at intervals appropriate to the nature of the hazard associated with the worker’s work.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2018

Part 1 Obligations of Work Site Parties
Obligations of employers

1. Every employer shall ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable for the employer to do so,
   1. the health and safety and welfare of
      1. workers engaged in the work of that employer,
      2. those workers not engaged in the work of that employer but present at the work site at which that work is being carried out, and
      3. other persons at or in the vicinity of the work site who may be affected by hazards originating from the work site,
   2. that the employer’s workers are aware of their rights and duties under this Act, the regulations and the OHS code and of any health and safety issues arising from the work being conducted at the work site,
   3. that none of the employer’s workers are subjected to or participate in harassment or violence at the work site,
   4. (that the employer’s workers are supervised by a person who
      1. is competent, and
      2. is familiar with this Act, the regulations and the OHS code that apply to the work performed at the work site,
   5. that the employer consults and cooperates with the joint work site health and safety committee or the health and safety representative, as applicable, to exchange information on health and safety matters and to resolve health and safety concerns,
   6. that health and safety concerns raised by workers, supervisors, self-employed persons and the joint work site health and safety committee or health and safety representative are resolved in a timely manner, and
   7. that on a work site where a prime contractor is required, the prime contractor is advised of the names of all of the supervisors of the workers.
2. Every employer shall ensure that workers are adequately trained in all matters necessary to protect their health and safety, including before the worker
   1. begins performing a work activity,
   2. performs a new work activity, uses new equipment or performs new processes, or
   3. is moved to another area or work site.
3. Every employer shall cooperate with any person exercising a duty imposed by this Act, the regulations and the OHS code.
4. Every employer shall comply with this Act, the regulations and the OHS code.