The statistics regarding workplace injuries and fatalities in Canada are baffling. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, there were 951 workplace fatalities recorded in 2017 with an additional 251,508 injuries which took place on the job. An employer must manage the safety and health of his or her employees and thus minimize the number of incidents that occur in the workplace. Since safety hazards are amplified when an employee is working in isolation, this article will specifically discuss lone workers and consider ways that an organization can best keep its lone workers safe.

Many companies don’t realize how many of their employees – whether on contract or work full-time – actually have some aspect of their job where they work alone. Working alone comes with it’s own unique set of hazards and challenges, so it’s important to be clear on the work alone definition and categories.