How are you managing working alone policies and how do you Verify and Validate all employees are out of the field end of each shift?
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1) Key Points
· Supervisor and Worker must complete a FLHA/Hazard Assessment to identify potential hazards and conditions, contact intervals and contact method, prior to starting the work.
· Supervisor will record all scheduled check-ins on the FLHA/Hazard Assessment
· Any person working alone must have an effective means of communication between the Worker and persons capable of responding to the Worker’s needs (2-way radio, cell phone, in good working order).
· If work is essential, and for some reason an effective means of communication cannot be established, a second Worker with a means of transportation (pickup truck etc.) will be used as a Spotter until the work is complete.
· The Supervisor shall ensure routine time intervals for checking the Worker. Time intervals will not exceed 2 hours, shorter time intervals may be required depending on the type of work and associated hazards. The agreed on time intervals will be recorded on the FLHA.
· If Worker fails to respond during routine check, the Supervisor or Designate will immediately proceed to the work site in question and complete a thorough inspection to determine Worker’s condition and the reason for lack of response.
· If Supervisor fails to respond during scheduled check-in the worker will stop all work until contact is established.
2) We use radio check ins and Black line devices depending on the site.
3) When a worker is required to work alone, they must
a) Complete the 5 Point Safety Card (FLHA) and review any applicable Job Hazard Assessments and/or Safe Work Practices/Procedures prior to working alone.
b) Establish an effective means of communication (radio, telephone or personal contact) with a contact person that can react as required to potential situations and / or incidents and maintain regular contact throughout the shift.
c) Ensure the means of communication is in good working order and the batteries are fully charged.
d) Ensure the contact person knows what area the worker will be working or touring in.
e) Make contact with the contact person within an agreed time period (contact must be no longer than every 1 hour) and inform the contact person of your location or any problems you may be having.
f) Make contact with the contact person before leaving radio or cell phone service areas and again when you return to service area.
g) Any employee who encounters an unusual and/or hazardous condition when working alone must contact his or her supervisor before proceeding with corrective action.
FAILURE TO MAKE CONTACT
In the event that the contact person is unable to make contact within the agreed upon time frame, they must
a) Attempt to make immediate contact with the worker.
b) If immediate contact cannot be made, attempt every 5 minutes.
c) If after 10 minutes contact cannot be made, initiate a search.
d) Ensure the Supervisor has been contacted, if they are not part of the search
4) Operators working alone are required to have a radio and be in contact with a lead every 30 minutes. The mine entry board is how we verify who’s in the field and if they all return at end of shift.
5) we as a company do not have to many occurrences where this situation would apply. Our line haul drivers that drive from Edmonton to fort mac return are all monitored by GPS and are Geo fenced and tracked 24/7.