(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. (4) SCU minimises risks from working remotely or in isolation by: (5) SCU must determine that the employee undertaking the work alone/remotely can undertake the work and record the competency assessment on the authorisation. Employees must have completed appropriate induction training, including emergency evacuation and other necessary procedures, before approval for undertaking the work alone/remotely. Records of training must be maintained. (6) 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. (7) 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. (8) The assessment process will identify potential hazards associated with the work: (9) Following the identification and assessment steps in the risk assessment, control measures will be implemented that consider: (10) 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. (11) 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. (12) For office or computer-based work or work having been assessed as low risk, the following must be undertaken: (13) An itinerary must be submitted to supervisors for all work conducted alone or in isolation, including remote or isolated locations and travel outside the metropolitan area, interstate, or overseas. Supervisors must implement safety protocols for working in isolation. (14) 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, i.e. 000 Emergency responders, Security on-site, supervisor, etc. (15) Ensure another authorised person is present when performing high-risk activities such as: (16) Perform during regular working hours with qualified assistance and supervision. (17) Before working alone or in isolation, complete a risk assessment, e.g. 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. (18) 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. (19) Contact Emergency Services on 000 for life-threatening emergencies. (20) Contact campus security in an emergency for immediate on-site response. (21) Refer to WHSMP13: Responsibility and Accountability Statement. (22) All relevant documentation will be recorded and kept in accordance with WHS Legislation and other legislative obligations, including: (23) This procedure will be reviewed as per nominated review dates or because of other events, such as: HRP20: Lone and Isolated Work
Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
Section 2 - Definitions
Section 3 - General Principles
Information, Instruction, and Training
Risk Assessment
Communication
Low risk working alone
Travel Plans
Emergency Response
Where Presence of Others Required
Work Classified as Too Hazardous for Isolation
Authorisation
After-Hours Emergency
Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
Section 4 - Records of Documentation
Top of PageSection 5 - Revision and approval history
Top of PageSection 6 - References
Top of Page
Section 7 - Related Documents
View Current
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Emergency Situation
Situations posing immediate risks to health or safety, including fire, bomb threats, intruders, injuries, sudden illnesses, or accidents.
Remote
A location separated by time or distance from essential services presents significant risk.
Lone worker device
A device that allows emergency contact when out of mobile service can be a satellite phone, Garmin InReach, Personal Location Beacon, EPIRB or equivalent.
Working Alone or in Isolation
Situations where an employee cannot be seen or heard by another person and cannot expect contact for over an hour. This includes working in an office, laboratory, field trips, and or remote locations outside regular hours.
Working When Emergency Response is Limited
Situations where access to emergency services is limited due to working after hours, in remote locations, or in isolation.
Work Health and Safety Act (in the applicable jurisdiction that SCU operates)
Work Health and Safety Regulation (in the applicable jurisdiction that SCU operates)
WHSMP02 - FOR - 03 - Task Hazard Analysis
WHSMP02 - FOR - 10 - Safe Work Instruction Template