Quick Facts on Manitoba Legislation

Manitoba Lone Worker provisions in their health and Safety Legislation is strong, with an emphasis on risk identification and procedural regulation.  

 

Link to Regulations: Download PDF

Code of Practice: Download PDF

 

Risk Identification

For Risk Identification, the focus shifts the process of identifying the risks to a workplace committee or, if there is no committee, to the workers themselves. What this means is that the Lone Workers and their coworkers are responsible for letting the organization what the risks are, and advising them on specific needs they have for maximizing their safety. 

 

Mandatory Requirements

Independent of the risk assessment provisions, Manitoba includes a selection of ‘must’ provisions for training, due diligence, compliance, and the implementation of a rigorous Lone Worker communications platform.

 

Definition in Manitoba

“Working alone” means the performance of any work function by a worker who:

(a) is the only worker for that employer at that workplace at any time

(b) is not directly supervised by the employer, or another person designated as a supervisor by the employer, at any time.

“Working in isolation” means working in circumstances where assistance is not readily available in the event of injury, ill health or emergency.

The definition of working alone indicates that the regulation will apply to virtually all workers who are performing a job function when they are not in the presence of their employer, another person in a supervisory capacity (designated by the same employer), or another worker directly associated with the same employer, at the particular workplace location and during the same time period the working alone job function is being performed.

The definition of working in isolation refers to those persons whose work sometimes or regularly requires them to be at a worksite that is remote from other workers, depending on the physical set up of the facility in question, and in circumstances where assistance is not readily available in the event of injury, ill health or emergency.

Many workers may fall into either category. However, in the case of working alone, they may be in contact with workers associated with a different employer or the general public. Such contact does not rule out the concept that the worker is working alone, and therefore this situation will require the same particular attention as outlined in the Regulation.

 

Regulation Highlights

WORKING ALONE OR IN ISOLATION

Application 9.1

This part applies to every workplace where employees work alone or in isolation.

Risk identification

9.2(1) When a worker works alone or in isolation, an employer must identify the risks arising from the conditions and circumstances of the worker’s work in consultation with:

(a) the committee at the workplace;

(b) the representative at the workplace;

(c) when there is no committee or representative, the workers at the workplace.

9.2(2) An employer must, so far as is reasonably practicable, take steps to eliminate or reduce the identified risks to workers working alone or working in isolation.

Safe work procedures

9.3(1) An employer must:

(a) develop and implement safe work procedures to eliminate or reduce the identified risks to workers working alone or working in isolation;

(b) train workers in the safe work procedures

(c) ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures

9.3(2) Safe work procedures must include:

(a) the establishment of an effective communication system that consists of:

(i) radio communication

(ii) telephone or cellular phone communication

(iii) any other means that provides effective communication given the risks involved

(b) any of the following:

(i) a system of regular contact by the employer with the worker working alone or in isolation Code of Practice for Workers Working Alone or in Isolation 10

(ii) limitations on or prohibitions of specified activities

(iii) the establishment of training requirements

(c) where applicable, the provision of emergency supplies for use in travelling or working under conditions of extreme cold or other inclement weather conditions.

9.3(3) An employer must post a copy of the safe work procedures in a conspicuous place at the workplace.

9.3(4) An employer must review and revise the procedures not less than every three years or sooner if circumstances at a workplace change in a way that poses a risk to the safety or health of a worker working alone or in isolation.