Working alone

As a rule, working alone should be avoided. You should always aim to work with an experienced person present or in close proximity. If working alone is necessary, the work must be organised so that it does not present any particular danger. It is important to assess each task before it is considered “permissible” to be carried out alone. This assessment should be done with your supervisor, manager or work environment representative.

A risk assessment must be created for hazardous work. This has to outline the necessary precautions that need to be in place to ensure that the work can be carried out in a fully responsible manner. In addition, written instructions must be created for the specific task that is to be carried out alone.

Furthermore, the risk assessment must contain safety instructions for any probable incidents that could arise. These must clearly state how you, as well as how internal and external people involved, should behave and any protective measures to be aware of when help is summoned. Also include telephone numbers of local experts who might need to be called.

The local work environment organisation must always give their approval before the hazardous work to be carried out alone is started.

Young people aged under 18, trainees, students (thesis or bachelor student) and the inexperienced must not carry out work alone. Likewise, people with mental or physical illnesses (e.g. epilepsy) must not work alone if the illness presents a danger in the specific situation.