Working Alone in Nova Scotia: Rules and Employer Duties

Nova Scotia has no regulation dedicated to working alone. That does not mean lone work is unregulated: the province's official Lone Workers Information Guide explains how the general duties of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and several regulations apply. This guide summarizes what employers should do.

Is working alone allowed in Nova Scotia?

Yes. According to the provincial guide, no OHS regulation prevents someone from working alone. The exception mentioned is confined space entry, where an attendant is required.

The employer's general duty

Section 13 of the OHS Act requires employers to take every precaution that is reasonable in the circumstances to ensure the health and safety of workers. For lone workers, the provincial guide says this means:

• assessing the risks of working alone;
• putting controls in place, such as training, communication and physical security;
• consulting the joint occupational health and safety committee or the representative.

Where a written OHS program is required, it must include a system for identifying hazards, which covers lone work situations.

Violence in the workplace

The Violence in the Workplace Regulations require a violence risk assessment and a written report (section 5), a prevention plan where a significant risk exists (section 7) and training (section 11). Retail is one of the sectors covered. Working alone, at night or with cash, increases the risk and should be part of the assessment.

First aid for lone workers

The First Aid Regulations require an emergency first aid certificate for a full-time employee who regularly works where no one can give first aid or summon help within a reasonable time (section 5), and a written plan for remote locations (section 18).

What to put in your procedure

• who works alone, when and where;
• the hazards and the controls chosen;
• the means of communication and the check-in interval;
• what happens when a worker does not respond;
• training and a regular review.

How a lone worker app helps

A lone worker app does not make you compliant on its own, but it helps you implement your procedure reliably. With VigieApp, Neovigie's lone worker safety app:

• timed check-ins raise an alarm if the worker does not respond, even if the phone is broken or out of coverage, because the countdown is enforced by the server;
• missed check-ins escalate automatically to up to 10 supervisors per level, across 5 levels, by SMS, email, call and push;
• fall and no-movement detection raise the alarm when the worker cannot;
• every alarm is time-stamped, so you keep a record of your procedure.

Alarms can also be routed to a professional 24/7 monitoring centre.

Sources

• Government of Nova Scotia, Lone Workers Information Guide
• Violence in the Workplace Regulations

Disclaimer: this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Neovigie is not a law firm and does not provide legal or regulatory compliance advice. Regulations change over time: always refer to the current legislation, and consult a qualified legal or occupational health and safety professional before making decisions for your organization.