Working alone can be particularly hazardous as first aid assistance may not be available, or may arrive too late in the event of an injury.
You must ensure that you plan and organise your activities on site as such that you do not have to carry them out alone. If, however, this is unavoidable then you must take the following precautions:
DO:
DO NOT: Ensure that comprehensive planning has taken place.
Make sure someone else is on site and they know where you are working, what you are doing and when you are expected to complete your work. Check that first aid assistance is available, ensure that you are familiar with the emergency procedures and have the means to raise the alarm.
Establish a means of communication to ensure that your safety can be checked, and a means of emergency contact. Report regularly by radio or telephone at preset intervals. Ensure that you have all necessary tools, materials, equipment, a means of safe access and egress and any necessary PPE, which you must wear at all times. Take extra care in everything you do, particularly if you have to move around outside of daylight hours.
Make sure any areas are properly lit.
Carry out any High Risk or Permit to Work activities alone. Your own safety depends on the care you take if working alone, which again must be stressed, should be avoided wherever possible. If in doubt, ASK!
