• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Section 2 - Definitions 
• Section 3 - General Principles 
• Risk Management Process
• Consultation 
• Part A - Risk Assessment 
• Low Risk working alone
• Part B - Hazard identification (within the assessment)
• Part C - Risk Control
• Guidance for Communication
• Emergency Response
• Where Presence of Others Required (higher-risk controls)
• After-Hours Emergency 
• Part D - Review of Control Measures
• Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 5 - Records of Documentation  
• Section 6 - Revision and approval history 
• Section 7 - References 
• Section 8 - Related Documents 

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) This Procedure aims to ensure Southern Cross University (SCU) management, employees, students, and others know the risks associated with loan and isolated work in the workplace and relevant management strategies for the risk mitigation process. 

(2) All employees, students, and others must follow this Procedure.     

(3) This Procedure applies to all SCU Work Units and sites.  

Section 2 - Definitions 

Section 3 - General Principles 

Risk Management Process

(4) SCU will follow the risk management process outlined in WHSMP02: Hazard Identification, Risk and Opportunity Management Procedure, this process includes:

1. Hazard identification.
2. Risk assessment.
3. Risk Control.
4. Review of control measures.

Consultation 

(5) Consultation is critical for effective risk management and is outlined in WHSMP07: Consultation, Communication and Participation.

Part A - Risk Assessment 

Low Risk working alone

(6) All office and computer-based work has been assessed as low risk. For low risk working alone, the following must be undertaken:

1. Employees or students working back or coming in outside of regular working and class hours should always advise Security that they are on-site and again when leaving.
2. When off-campus, other than at home, a supervisor or alternate contact person should be notified of the work commencement and expected completion times.

(7) Before working alone or in isolation, complete a risk assessment, e.g. with WHSMP02 - FOR - 03 - Task Hazard Analysis (one-off occurrence), WHSMP02 - FOR - 10 - Safe Work Instruction Template (repeated occurrences), or WHSMP02-FOR-09 Field Risk Assessment to obtain authorisation from an appropriate supervisor.

(8) For work undertaken regularly, the same risk assessment can be utilised if the conditions remain current as documented on the risk assessment and providing it considers all conditions likely to be experienced during the approval period. The systems provided for communication and equipment used shall be maintained to ensure reliability and effectiveness during an emergency.

Part B - Hazard identification (within the assessment)

(9) The assessment process will identify potential hazards associated with the work:

1. Eliminate risks to health and safety as far as reasonably practicable.
2. If unable to eliminate risks, conduct a risk assessment to determine the required control measures.

Part C - Risk Control

(10) Following the identification and assessment steps in the risk assessment, control measures will be implemented that consider:

1. Consider factors such as site access, medical and emergency assistance, supervision level, unattended substances, training, security, communication, and pre-existing medical conditions.
2. Identifying and designating a contact person.
3. Identifying the frequency and method of contact required which may include a lone worker device.
4. Arrangements for rescue, medical, and emergency assistance.
5. Preparing any Safe Work Instructions (SWI) required.
6. Obtaining the authority to perform work alone or in isolation.

Guidance for Communication

(11) All persons approved to work alone or in isolation must ensure that reliable means of communication are always maintained. They should notify Security or a supervisor of work commencement and expected completion times when working outside normal hours. A schedule for regular contact with the University or another reliable person, especially for remote or isolated fieldwork, should be established. This could include using a lone worker device such as a satellite phone, Personal Location Beacon (PLB), EPIRB for water, or Garmin InReach. 

(12) The extent of these arrangements will depend on the type of work undertaken and the risk assessment outcomes. The amount of contact required whilst working alone or remotely will depend on the potential risk and the experience of the individual undertaking the work. 

Emergency Response

(13) Appropriate emergency procedures must be established for all work performed alone or in isolation. If necessary, incidents/emergencies should be escalated through the appropriate channels, ie. 000 Emergency responders, Security on-site, supervisor, etc.

Where Presence of Others Required (higher-risk controls)

(14) Ensure another authorised person is present when performing high-risk activities such as: 

1. Handling exposed, energised electrical or electronic systems. 
2. Using large volumes of flammable solvents or hazardous substances. 
3. Working in extreme temperature environments or confined spaces. 

After-Hours Emergency 

(15) Contact Emergency Services on 000 for life-threatening emergencies. 

(16) Contact campus security in an emergency for immediate on-site response. 

Part D - Review of Control Measures

(17) Control measures for working alone and in isolation must be periodically reviewed to ensure they remain effective. Where results indicate existing measures do not adequately control the risk, they must be improved in consultation with affected persons.

Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities

(18) Refer to WHSMP13: Responsibility and Accountability Statement. 

Section 5 - Records of Documentation  

(19) All relevant documentation will be recorded and kept in accordance with WHS Legislation and other legislative obligations, including:  

1. Maintain records for all work performed alone or in isolation, including risk assessments, communication logs, travel plans, and emergency procedures.  
2. Keep records for specified durations, such as 28 days after work or 2 years after a notifiable incident.  

Section 6 - Revision and approval history 

(20) This procedure will be reviewed as per nominated review dates or because of other events, such as: 

1. Internal and external audit outcomes. 
2. Legislative changes. 
3. Outcomes from management reviews. 
4. Incidents. 

Section 7 - References 

Section 8 - Related Documents