By submitting this form:
- I declare that I will inform my contact when I choose or am required to work alone.
- If in the case of concerns due to no communication with the identified contact, they will call my supervisor (or designate) and in the employee's absence will contact the appropriate local authorities.
- I will provide the necessary information to my contact and alternate contact to ensure they can contact my supervisor if required.
- I understand that I must update this information sheet in the event my Contact or Alternate Contact changes.
Important - Please read thoroughly:
"Working alone means the performance of any work function by a worker who:
(a) is the only worker for that employer at that workplace at any time
(b) is not directly supervised by the employer, or another person designated as a supervisor by the employer, at any time"
"Working in isolation" means working in circumstances where assistance is not readily available in the event of injury, ill health or emergency."
Other Code of Practice excerpts include:
9.3(1) An employer must:
(a) develop and implement safe work procedures to eliminate or reduce the identified risks to workers working alone or working in isolation;
(b) train workers in the safe work procedures
(c) ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures
9.3(3) An employer must post a copy of the safe work procedures in a conspicuous place at the workplace.
9.3(4) An employer must review and revise the procedures not less than every three years or sooner if circumstances at a workplace change in a way that poses a risk to the safety or health of a worker working alone or in isolation.
Additional excerpts include:
When assessing the conditions or circumstances under which the worker is required to work alone or in isolation, particular job functions will have inherent hazards associated with them that may be deemed as high risk, low risk or combinations of both.
Examples of work functions that present low risk may include:
• Maintenance (other than on active processing equipment)
• Security personnel (except in hazardous locations)
• Janitorial or custodial (except in hazardous locations)
• Truck drivers or business people in transit
• Office work
Written, safe-work procedures must include an effective communication system and a way for employees working alone or in isolation to get help if there’s an injury or other misfortune.
Use of the telephone for communication at regular intervals may be adequate in low risk situations. Telephone numbers for routine calling and emergency situations must be posted prominently.
The length of time between checks will depend on the identified risks of the job function.
In conclusion:
- Working alone in a school division must be limited to low risk tasks.
- If working alone in a building then, if possible, evenings and weekends should be avoided due to the extended duration of time before others enter the building.
- The employee must have an PCSD email address to access the Work Alone Form on the PCSD Website, under "staff".
- The buddy/work alone contact must actively engage with the employee for wellness checks at 60 minute intervals (preferred) by phone/text/or email.
- PCSD Management and Senior Admin Team are allowed to set the intervals between checks.
- The Work Alone Form must include a 24/7 immediate means to contact the Employer and instructions to call 911 (EMS) if a wellness check fails. Therefore, all work alone contacts must be provided the following by the PCSD Employee:
* Sandra Meilleur, Superintendent, 204-385-6110 (working and non-working hours)
- The superintendent will immediately redirect the phone call where necessary, ie. School Principal, Maintenance Coordinator, etc.
- Assuming it is a building the Employee is working in, the Employer is to provide for site access (i.e. fob entry) by meeting EMS at the site.
