Who is at risk?
Precautions should be used when workers are alone and working away from a central location. Unexpected events in unfamiliar environments can increase the risk of violence to the worker. Occupations in this category include:
- context Real estate agents
- context Social workers
- context Inspectors
- context Enforcement officers
- context Home care or health care workers
- context Service or repair workers
- context Sales people
What can the employer do?
In many situations, the nature of the off-site work involves a lone worker. It is important to conduct a risk assessment of the activities workers will do to keep them safe, even though they are working off-site and often working alone.
- context Have a check-in procedure in place. See Working Alone - General for more information.
- context Provide training and education on how to avoid potentially violent situations, as well as conflict resolution and de-escalation.
- context Allow the use of a "buddy system" in high-risk situations - make sure workers know this option is available to them.
- context Provide information on high-risk geographical areas to all staff.
- context Limit the time of day visits can be made to high-risk areas.
- context Keep client records and make sure staff are aware if a client is known to be aggressive, hostile, or potentially violent. Provide support when violence is possible (such as visiting the client as a team or having a way to quickly get assistance).
- context Prepare a daily work plan so everyone knows where and when workers are expected to be.
- context Encourage workers to share concerns and issues so that corrective actions can be implemented.
- context Provide a list of emergency contacts who are available and can provide support when needed.