Personal Safety
Working Alone
In Western Australia, because of its size and geography, many people in out of the way places have to work alone. A person is alone at work when they cannot be seen or heard by another person and when they do not expect a visit from another person for some time.
Often they face risks because they work away from other people and settlements. Examples of people who may work alone include employees on farms or stations or in forest operations.
People may also have to work alone in towns and cities. They include people who work:
where there are no other employees;
when everyone else has gone home;
inspecting large structures such as cranes, when nobody else is close by;
cleaning offices in high rise buildings outside normal business hours;
as rangers in parks and reserves; and
inspecting vacant land for fire.
Things that may increase the risk of working alone include:
the length of time the person may be working alone;
the time of day when a person may be working alone;
the lack of communication tools such as a telephone;
the location of the work; and
the skills and character of the person who is to work alone.
To reduce the risk of injury or harm to health, employers should provide enough information, instruction and training for people who work alone. It is also essential that the person know the work well and the work procedures that should be followed.
Work Related Stress
No job is free from stress. All work involves some responsibilities, problems, demands and pressures that may be stressful. We are paid to work and a reasonable amount of pressure can be expected.
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Stress is usually described as the reaction in people to excessive demands, pressures and expectations. Usually people who are stressed feel a sense of loss of control over their lives or that they cannot cope. |
Not all pressure is harmful. People are often kept motivated by the challenges and difficulties they meet and are able to solve at work. However, the ability to deal with pressure is not limitless. Performance can drop, inefficiencies can occur and the health of employees may decline.
Generally, periods of stress last only briefly and have little or no long-term effect.
When relief from a stressful situation is not available or is for a short period only, the body has no time to repair, and the stress becomes long lasting and more serious. Long-term problems emerge and recovery time, even with professional help, takes much longer.
You should talk to your supervisor if you feel stressed at work for long periods of time. Employers can take steps to reduce work related stress. This might include making sure workers are treated fairly or rotating boring repetetive work tasks.
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There will always be times at work when you feel more stressed. Talking to others about your concerns often eases the pressure. Keeping fit and relaxed will help you deal with stress better. |
Violence at Work
Unfortunately violence can be a workplace hazard. Workplace violence is an action or incident that harms, injures or really upsets another person. It includes situations where emloyees and other peole are threatened, bullied, attacked, hit or pushed.
Employers must take steps to protect employees and other people in workplaces from violent incidents that may cause injury or harm.
People who work alone or at night may face added risks. This includes employees such as taxi drivers, pizza delivery drivers and workers in video hire stores.
Employees such as bank tellers or workers in chemists who handle items such as cash or drugs are more likely to face the threat of robbery or attack.
