Working alone in the warehouse often involves great risks. Whereas colleagues in a forklift accident can usually raise the alarm, when working alone there is no one around to come to the victim's aid. Importantly, companies need to minimise or even completely eliminate the risks of working alone. In six steps, they create a safer workplace and make the lone worker feel safer.
Six steps
In some cases, the Occupational Health and Safety Act even prohibits lone working. This ban applies to work in a confined space, where there is a risk of suffocation, intoxication, poisoning, fire or explosion. Young people under the age of 18 are prohibited from working alone, even in a regular warehouse.
So in other situations, working alone is allowed. In those situations, the employer is still responsible for a safe working environment. In the mandatory Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E), employers should therefore pay explicit attention to the group of employees working alone. Employers must get a clear picture of which employees work alone at which times and at which locations. In addition, they must identify what measures and facilities are in place to reduce the risk of an accident. This is done in the following six steps:
Step 1: Investigate whether lone working is unavoidable
Can lone working be avoided or is it really necessary? That consideration should be made first. Can the work be arranged so that it can be done with two forklift drivers? If working alone is unavoidable, the employer should take additional measures.
Step 2: Identify risks
When working alone is unavoidable, the employer should identify the risks of working without colleagues. Examples include:
- Chance of falling load or falling racking
- Risk of hazardous substance release
- Use of dangerous machinery and tools
Step 3: Make lone working safer
The employer should not only ensure that accidents are prevented, but also that action is taken more quickly when an incident does occur. For example:
- Have the lone worker report by phone or other device every two hours.
- Make sure an emergency number is pre-programmed in the phone.
- Have periodic inspection rounds (e.g. every two hours).
- Make sure the lone worker wears electronic restraints that react when the person is lying down or does not move for a certain period of time.
- Keep an eye on the warehouse through cameras.
- Keep escape routes clear and make sure keys and other tools are within reach.
- Register the presence of lone workers. This can be done in writing or automatically with an access card, or simply verbally with the night porter.
Step 4: Agree a procedure
Together with the works council, staff representation or direct employees, the employer determines a procedure for lone working. Such a procedure may consist of the following components:
- Working alone is only allowed after permission from supervisor.
- Record the activities, working hours and location of lone workers.
- Include what the employee can and cannot do and how to raise the alarm.
- Report to supervisor or night porter when alone work is completed.
Step 5: Educate lone workers
Good education can ensure that the lone worker does not panic when an accident occurs. It is important to discuss the risks of the workplace and of working alone. The employer should also indicate what measures have been taken to reduce the risks and how to raise the alarm in case of incidents.
Step 6: Supervise
When working alone, it is impossible to supervise at all times. Nevertheless, supervision can be a means of determining whether the employee understands the risks of the work and is taking appropriate precautions. Supervision can take the form of periodic workplace visits, possibly combined with monitoring the progress and quality of the work.
Tom van BLOM - Material handling expert
