Remote and isolated worker safety
Posted by QRMC, 26 June 2013
Managing the safety of workers performing their work duties in remote and/or isolated locations is not a new experience in Australia. Long distances, decentralised infrastructure, remote communities, resource-based activities and a range of other factors come into play in Australia in a way that brings more attention to the issue than might be the case in smaller and more densely populated locations.
In addition to this physical context, many Australian jurisdictions have now adopted the model Work Health and Safety legislation, which has included additional remote and isolated work regulations. One of the new requirements, to have a system of work which includes processes for effective communication with remote and isolated workers, will commence in Queensland in 2014.
So with consideration of all of the above, what are the critical factors which should be considered in the safety management systems of organisations whose workers undertake remote or isolated work?
Firstly, understand what remote or isolated work is, and determine whether any of your workers are undertaking it.
The Model Safework Australia Code of Practice Managing the Work Environment and Facilities provides guidance for the WHS Regulation Section 48 requirement for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to manage the risks associated with remote or isolated work. Remote or isolated work is defined as:
“… work that is isolated from the assistance of other people because of the location, time or nature of the work being done. Assistance from other people includes rescue, medical assistance and emergency services.”
So this can include the obvious (such as a farm hand on a large cattle station fixing back country fences) or the less obvious (such as a commercial office cleaner in a capital city working a night shift by themselves).
Secondly, undertake a risk assessment of the remote or isolated work to identify the risks the worker(s) may be exposed to.
Thirdly, identify the controls for these risks which are already in place in your organisation’s work processes, and make sure these controls are actually working. As an example, many organisations provide their remote or isolated workers with emergency communication devices such as EPIRBs or personal locating beacons; however, due to the bulk of the device, the nature of the work undertaken or the failure of procedures or training, these devices can be entirely ineffective due to being left in a vehicle or other location while the individual is out in the field.
Fourthly, identify what can be done to control any risks which aren’t already being adequately managed. Include the worker(s) in the risk assessment and control identification processes to ensure no important information is missed. Benchmarking and information sharing with others in your industry can also be helpful.
Finally, make certain that the affected workers have a complete understanding of the work processes and risk controls relating to the remote or isolated work, and ensure that communication processes (on which many controls in this context tend to hinge) are sufficiently robust.
For assistance with the revision or development of your safety procedures relating to remote or isolated work, contact QRMC for an obligation-free discussion or quote.
