Employees who work alone or in isolation face an increased risk of confrontation and violence. Even incidents without physical confrontation, can cause stress and be emotionally traumatic for a worker.
Working alone presents additional risks pending location; type of work; public interaction; and consequences of an emergency, accident, or injury. It is important to identify hazards, implement procedures to limit risks, and follow emergency procedures.
A build-up of pressure inside the tank of a sewage pumper truck caused tank latches to fail and the tank door to swing open, striking the operator.
Each year people get injured or killed through accidental contact with vehicles or mobile equipment in the workplace. Policing authorities investigate these events on a case-by-case basis. In the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the safety regulator is the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC).
Workers face increased risks when working alone. The severity of the risks depends on location; type of work; public interaction; and consequences of potential emergencies, accidents or injuries.
Safe Scaffolding Set-up:
- Train all workers on safe scaffold installation.
- Use proper fall protection.
- Carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe set-up.
Employers and workers must comply with the Safety Acts and applicable regulations when removing mould-contaminated materials from the workplace.
Safe Ladder Set-up and Use
- Select the right ladder for the job. Inspect the ladder before use; look for broken rungs and cracks.
- Use a ladder best suited for the landscape, like those with non-slip feet or spikes.
- Setup ladders away from doors. If necessary, block off the door and post warning signs.
Hearing loss can result from exposure to sound levels at or above 85 decibels (dBA) for extended periods of time.
The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission has these posters available in other official languages of Nunavut. Click arrow to view/download all...
Every year in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, workers suffer serious injuries because of falls from heights. A serious or fatal injury could occur if a worker falls from a height of 3 metres or more. Falls are a particularly serious problem in the construction industry.