WorkSafe has issued a safety alert emphasising the need for reliable communication devices and systems for anyone working alone or remotely.

The regulator says communication is a critical control for lone work and remote work, and that businesses must make sure workers can get timely help if something goes wrong. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, PCBUs are required to manage risks so far as is reasonably practicable; that includes the risks created when a person is out of sight and sound of others.

WorkSafe’s alert points employers and contractors to practical expectations:

• Choose devices that suit the environment and risk: mobile phones where coverage is reliable; two-way radios; satellite messengers or phones; personal locator beacons; or dedicated lone-worker/duress devices where justified.
• Confirm coverage and test devices before starting work. Have a back-up if the primary option fails.
• Set up scheduled check-ins with a clear escalation process for missed calls or messages.
• Keep devices charged, carry spares or power banks, and maintain equipment.
• Train workers to use the devices and any duress/emergency functions.
• Record where a person is going, their route and expected finish time, and update plans if they change.
• Have a written emergency response plan that names who will respond and how, at any hour the work is being done.

The alert notes this applies across sectors: farming and forestry, utilities and infrastructure, construction, security and cleaning, in-home and community services, and after-hours maintenance. Before sending someone out alone, businesses should first consider whether the work can be done with others or at a different time. If lone work can’t be eliminated, stronger communication and supervision controls are expected.

The safety alert is available on WorkSafe’s website.