Working in Isolation

Policy Statement

The University is committed to ensuring the safety, health and security of staff, students and others who are on University premises and are isolated from other persons because of time, location or nature of their work. Under these circumstances there are special risks due to the lack of immediate assistance in the event of an accident or sudden illness.

This policy particularly applies to employees and students whilst performing after hours work (between 6pm and 8am on weekdays, all weekends and university holidays) on University premises.

Field trips or work in remote locations away from the University, is dealt with in the Working in Remote Locations.

Legislation

Regulation 3.3 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 requires that if an employee is isolated from other persons because of the time, location or nature of the work then the employer must ensure that there is:

(a) a means of communication available which will enable the employee to call for help in the event of an emergency; and

(b) a procedure for regular contact with the employee and the employee is trained in the procedure.

The maximum penalty for breaching this regulation is $25,000.

Responsibilities

The responsibility for implementation of the following general procedures rests with the relevant Heads of Schools, Managers and Supervisors. Each workplace is responsible for preparing and enforcing their own procedures and for informing, instructing, training and supervising staff and students whose activities are affected by this policy.

Staff and students are required to comply with the workplace procedures and to report any accidents or incidents and also any safety, health or security concerns. Each individual is responsible for taking reasonably practicable steps to ensure their own safety and personal security when working in isolation.

Procedures

4.1 Authority

All personnel working outside of normal working hours must carry appropriate University identification. Unauthorised visitors are not permitted inside University buildings after hours. Security is required to remove from buildings any person without appropriate authority from the Head of Schools, from buildings. Persons acting as "security buddys" are permitted with the appropriate authorisation.

4.2 Means of communication in the case of an emergency.

In the case of an emergency the normal emergency response procedures should be understood and carried out. The Campus emergency number is 2222. If a phone is not readily accessible, employees and students are not permitted to work alone.

A log book system may be used by Schools if desired, to record building activity after hours.

4.3 Risk assessment of amount of contact required during after hours work.

The amount of contact required whilst working alone depends on the hazard potential of the work and the experience of the individual undertaking the work. A risk assessment should be carried out on the work involved, to determine the appropriate course of action. This may include addressing any unattended reactions or experiments. In addition, disclosure and consideration of any medical conditions that may give rise to a dangerous or life threatening situation when working alone must be taken into account.

It may be seen that undergraduate students and some staff may be excluded from certain types of work after hours due to the hazardous nature of the work. Some guidelines for the risk assessment for working in isolation is as follows:

4.3.1 Working alone

Where employees/students are undertaking office/computer based work or routine animal and laboratory work, the following must be undertaken:

4.3.2 Where presence of others is recommended.

Some work may require another person to be present on the floor or in the building. Before this category of work is approved, another authorised person must be arranged to be present within the Faculty, School or Centre for the period of time that the work is to be undertaken.

Examples of activities in this category may include use of :

• x- rays and isotopes

• large animals

• exposed, energised electrical or electronic systems

• large volumes of flammable solvents.

• Schedule 4, 8 or 9 poisons.

• radioactive sources.

4.3.3 Work too hazardous to be undertaken after hours.

Some work is required to be undertaken during normal working hours when qualified assistance and supervision is available. Examples of work in this category may include use of:

• hydrofluoric acid.

• explosive and potentially explosive substances.

• disposal of hazardous substances.

• naked flames associated with flammable solvents.

• low temperature environments, e.g. cool rooms.

• high powered, fast-moving machinery or equipment.

• deep water.

• heights or confined spaces.

• significant quantities of molten materials.

A check list to assist in the risk assessment process is available at SafetyLine.

Training

Each workplace area is responsible for preparing and enforcing their own procedures and for informing, instructing, training and supervising staff and students in these. Assistance with this is available from the Safety and Health on 6488 3938. Lectures on personal security are available through the Security Office on 9320 1230.

References

Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984

Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996

Australian /New Zealand Standards 2243.1:1997. Safety in Laboratories. Part 1.

WorkSafe WA: Guidance Note: Working Alone 1999

 

Last Edits:	February 2000	Previous Edits:	n/a
Responsible:	S&H Manager	Approved by:
Date for Review:	August 2002	File Ref:	F291
Previous Titles:	n/a

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