State Specific OH&S Regulations
The following links and documents outline state by state the ascociated regulations and acts governing isolated worker and remote working conditions.
Most states including Victoria, South Australia, Northern Teritory and Western Australia all have clear regulations in regards to what is required by an employer to ensure a worker's safety.
If an employee is isolated from other persons because of the time, location or nature of the work then the employer must ensure that —
- there is a means of communication available which will enable the employee to call for help in the event of an emergency; and
- there is a procedure for regular contact to be made with the employee and the employee is trained in the procedure.
Other states without specific legislation requirements still require employers to carry out risk assessment when dealing with remote work locations and lone workers to ensure adequate compliance with their states duty of care responsibilities.
Acording to any States duty of care principles the employer is responsible for the health and safety of their staff at all times. When choosing to send your most valuable assets into a potentially dangerous remote site or isolated working condition, providing them with a means of communicating or raising a distress signal is a small price to pay to ensure your employee's safety and company's OH&S compliance.
NSW
Duty of care principle Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001
QLD
Workplace health and safety Qld Queensland Workcover Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008
VIC
Working alone Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 *refer to section 5.3.18
SA
South Australia Safework Safework keeping remote staff safe Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1995 *refer to section 2.14.1
NT
Northern Teritory Worksafe Workplace Health and Safety Act 2007 *refer to page 6
WA
Western Australia Worksafe WA working alone guideline Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 *refer to section 3.3
TAS
Tasmania working alone guideline Tasmania workcover Tasmania OH&S legislation
Working alone in Australia facts
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