Work Alone Awareness

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Work Alone Awareness course? +
  • It’s a training program. The Work Alone Awareness course is designed to educate workers and employers about the risks and safety measures involved when someone works by themselves or out of sight or earshot of others.
  • Focuses on safety basics. It covers how to identify hazards, set up communication plans, and respond to emergencies—crucial stuff when you’re on your own. For example, in Alberta, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code requires employers to conduct hazard assessments and ensure regular contact with lone workers.
  • Legislation ties in. Provincial laws, like British Columbia’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, mandate check-in procedures for isolated workers. This course aligns with those rules, helping you stay compliant while keeping safe.
• Who needs to take the Work Alone Awareness course? +
  • Lone workers, obviously. Anyone who works alone—like security guards, home care workers, or night-shift custodians—should take it to understand the risks and their rights. In some instances, lone worker situations may develop when one of two workers has to leave the work site for example.
  • Employers are key too. Managers and supervisors need this training to meet legal duties. In Manitoba, the Workplace Safety and Health Act says employers must create safe work procedures for those working solo, and this course equips them to do just that.
  • Varies by province. Some places, like Saskatchewan, define “working alone” as being the only worker at a site with no immediate help available. If that’s your job, or you oversee it, this course is a must to navigate those provincial specifics and keep everyone safe.
• What are the legal requirements for working alone covered in the course? +
  • Hazard checks are mandatory. The course teaches that provinces like Alberta require employers to assess risks for lone workers and put safety measures in place.
  • Communication is critical. In New Brunswick and other provinces, the OHS Act’s Code of Practice for Working Alone insists on reliable contact systems, like radios or check-ins.
  • Emergency prep matters. Legislation across Canada, including Nova Scotia’s general duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, requires employers to ensure lone workers aren’t helpless in a crisis. The course dives into practical steps, like setting intervals for contact based on the job’s danger level, to meet these rules.
• How does the Work Alone Awareness course improve workplace safety? +
  • Boosts awareness fast. It teaches you to spot risks—like isolation or public interactions—that might otherwise go unnoticed when you’re alone.
  • Practical tools save lives. You’ll learn to set up check-in routines or use tech like GPS trackers, which provinces like British Columbia encourage under their working-alone regulations to ensure someone’s always got your back.
  • Empowers everyone involved. By training workers and bosses alike, it creates a safety-first mindset.
• Is the Work Alone Awareness course mandatory? +
  • Not always, but often smart. No province outright says “take this exact course,” but many, like Ontario, have general duty clauses in their Occupational Health and Safety Act requiring employers to train workers on hazards—including working alone.
  • Compliance drives it. In places like Newfoundland and Labrador, specific legislation on working alone means employers need documented safety plans. Taking the course isn’t mandatory, but it’s a practical way to prove you’re meeting those legal standards and keeping your team safe.