Working Alone

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In Prince Edward Island, working alone means “a worker working at a workplace who is the only worker of the employer at that workplace, in circumstances where assistance is not readily available to the worker in the event of injury, ill health or emergency.” [OHS General Regs., S. 53.1]

Generally speaking, a person can be considered to be "alone" at work when they cannot be seen or heard by another person, and the worker’s absence may not be noticed for some time. Should the worker become ill or injured, or experience an emergency, help may not be readily available. It is important to consider all situations carefully as some situations may be more obvious than others. A construction worker who has been asked to perform a task on the 6th floor of a hotel, while his co-workers remain on the 3rd floor, may also be considered a “lone” worker as the worker cannot be seen or heard by co-workers. Other examples may include gas station attendants, convenience store clerks, food outlet employees, taxi drivers, home care employees, social service workers, security guards or custodians.

Employer Duties

The employer must develop and implement written procedures to make sure, as far as possible, the health and safety of a worker are protected when working alone. These written procedures include: [OHS General Regs., S. 53.2]

  • the name, address, location and telephone number of the workplace;
  • the name, address, location and telephone number of the employer;
  • the type of business conducted at the workplace;
  • identification of the risks to each lone worker in connection to the work they do; and
  • the steps to be followed to reduce or minimize these risks, including:
    • the time intervals for checking on the worker;
    • the person responsible for contacting the worker, and the results of each contact;
    • what steps will be taken if the worker cannot be contacted, including emergencies; and
    • how the worker will check in at the end of each shift.
  • the details about how a lone worker can get, and the employer can provide, assistance if the worker is injured or requires help.

The employer must follow these procedures, and implement a training program about the procedures for each lone worker and each supervisor of a lone worker.

The employer must make sure a copy of these procedures are available to an officer on request. [OHS General Regs., S. 53.5]

Where a worker is working alone, the employer must make sure that worker holds a valid Emergency First Aid Certificate, if reasonable to do so or if required by an officer. [OHS General Regs., S. 9.7]

More information is available in the Guide to Working Alone Regulations.

Worker Duties

Workers must:

General Regulations
EC180/87

Part 9 FIRST AID

Section 9.7 Workplace first aider training competencies

9.7 Where a workplace first aid risk assessment has been conducted under this Part, an employer shall determine the level of risk that workers may encounter at the workplace in accordance with the following:

(a) where the level of risk is considered low, the employer shall ensure there is a designated workplace first aider who holds a valid Basic Level First Aid Certificate at the workplace at all times;

(b) where the level of risk is considered moderate, the employer shall ensure there is a designated workplace first aider who holds a valid Intermediate Level First Aid Certificate at the workplace at all times;

(c) where the level of risk is considered high, the employer shall ensure there is a designated workplace first aider who holds a valid Advanced Level First Aid Certificate at the workplace at all times.

[EC2012-49, s. 1; EC2021-126, s. 14; EC2024-600, s. 6]

Part 53 WORKING ALONE

Section 53.1 "working alone", defined

53.1 In this Part, "working alone" means a worker working at a workplace who is the only worker of the employer at that workplace, in circumstances where assistance is not readily available to the worker in the event of injury, ill health or emergency.

[EC2006-43, s. 5]

Section 53.2 Procedure where employee is working alone

53.2 (1) Where a worker is working alone, the employer shall develop and implement written procedures to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of the worker from risks arising out of, or in connection with, the work assigned.

(2) Written procedures developed under subsection (1) shall include the following information:

(a) the name, address, location and telephone number of the workplace;

(b) the name, address, location and telephone number of the employer;

(c) the nature of the business conducted at the workplace;

(d) identification of the possible risks to each worker working alone that arise from or in connection with the work assigned;

(e) the steps to be followed to minimize the risks identified in clause (d);

(f) details of the means by which a worker who is working alone can secure, and the employer can provide, assistance in the event of injury or other circumstances that may endanger the health or safety of the worker.

(3) The steps referred to in clause (2)(e) shall

(a) specify the time intervals for checking on the worker;

(b) specify the person responsible for contacting the worker and recording the results of the contact;

(c) outline the process to be followed if the worker cannot be contacted, including provisions for an emergency rescue; and

(d) provide for checking with the worker at the end of the worker's shift.

[EC2006-43, s. 5]

Section 53.3 Employer, worker to comply

53.3 The employer and the worker who is working alone shall comply with the procedures developed under section 53.2.

[EC2006-43, s. 5]

Section 53.4 Training program

53.4 The employer shall implement a training program in respect of the procedures established under section 53.2 for each worker who is working alone and for each supervisor who is responsible for a worker working alone.

[EC2006-43, s. 5]

Section 53.5 Copy of procedures available to officer

53.5 The employer shall ensure that a copy of the procedures established under section 53.2 is available to an officer on request.

[EC2006-43, s. 5]

Schedule A Repealed [EC2021-289, s. 1]

[EC2012-49, s. 2; EC2021-289, s. 1]

Schedule B Repealed [EC2021-289, s. 1]

[EC2012-49, s. 2; EC2021-289, s. 1]

Schedule C Repealed [EC2021-289, s. 1]

[EC2012-49, s. 2; EC2021-289, s. 1]

Schedule D Repealed [EC2021-289, s. 1]

[EC2012-49, s. 2; EC2021-289, s. 1]