Like businesses, municipalities are responsible for the safety of their lone workers. Many civil servants work alone and could be at a higher risk for accidents and injuries.
Lone Worker Legislation
If you’re an employer in Canada, you are legally required to keep your employees safe. Although there are no federal laws specifically for lone workers, Bill C-45 requires that all employers mitigate risks for their workers. Any violations of Bill C-45 can result in severe penalties.
On the other hand, most provinces and territories have provincial or territorial regulations designed to protect employees who work alone.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfound & Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, NWT, and Nunavut all have lone-worker legislation. Read more about lone worker legislation in Canada.
The consequences for failing to follow Bill C-45 and provincial or territorial legislation are serious. You may face financial and legal repercussions, lawsuits, increased WCB premiums, high insurance premiums, and criminal charges.
Duty of Care
Duty of Care applies across Canada- even in provinces without lone-worker regulations. Under Duty of Care, employers must ensure the safety of their employees. If you have not enacted adequate lone worker protocols and a lone worker gets hurt at work, you will be held responsible.
It’s important to remember that the risks for lone workers are higher than with other employees. Consequently, it’s imperative to take additional steps to protect them. That’s why lone worker protocols are essential to proper Duty of Care.
As an employer, you must perform a comprehensive risk assessment to identify workplace hazards for lone workers. Furthermore, Duty of Care requires that all lone workers are monitored and have regular check-ins. CommAlert can help with that.
Lone Worker Monitoring for Municipalities
Lone worker monitoring is essential for many municipal employees.
Parks and Facilities Lone Workers
Many parks and facilities employees work in remote locations, so lone worker monitoring is vital. For example, a park maintenance worker often works alone for long periods. These lone workers can check in regularly with CommAlert’s lone worker monitoring system.
Water Management Lone Workers
Provincial and federal governments have health and safety guidelines for their departments. Following these regulations is essential for worker safety. CommAlert works with you to design a lone-worker program that meets your department’s working alone policy requirements.
Enforcement, Community Liaison, and Compliance Officers
Enforcement and community workers are often in high-risk situations during their shifts. If they’re working alone, the risk is even greater. A custom lone monitoring system helps keep them safe with regular check-ins and call-out procedures in emergencies.
Lone Worker Monitoring with CommAlert
Under federal law, provincial legislation, and Duty of Care, all employers must develop and implement a lone worker safety program. CommAlert can help. We offer fully customizable and comprehensive lone-worker monitoring solutions for municipalities and businesses.
Reach out to us to learn more!
