Isolated and Remote Work

Are workers ever rostered to open or close the business by themselves?

• As part of   normal weekly rostering.
• When a   co-worker is on annual leave.
• When a   co-worker is re-directed to other tasks, such as during functions or when   collecting goods.
• When it is   likely to be less busy due to a community event elsewhere.

Are workers ever required to open or close the business on short notice?

• When a   co-worker is injured.
• When a   co-worker is ill.
• When a   co-worker has a care responsibility.
• When a co-worker   has vehicle trouble.

Are workers ever alone, even for a short time?

• When taking   rubbish to the bin.
• When   co-workers are on their lunch break.
• When   co-workers are using the bathroom.

Are workers ever outside of ear shot (audible range) or eye shot (visual range) of other workers?

• When serving   customers in a separate function room or in the foyer.
• When cleaning   a bathroom or clearing tables.
• When helping   a customer carry goods to their vehicle.

Are workers ever required to travel for work, or work in an isolated geographical area?

• When   delivering or collecting goods.
• When   re-fuelling a vehicle.
• When working   at a different store.

The business hours are 07:00am – 6:00pm, and the workers are alone from 07:00am – 08:00am, and 5:00pm – 6:00pm.

While alone, the worker could be exposed to several harmful work-related behaviours from customers including:

• Harassment,
• Aggression,
• Violence,
• Sexual   Harassment,
• Sexual   Assault.

Harmful work-related behaviours can have both a physical and psychological impact on exposed workers.

Most of the surrounding businesses do not open until 08:00am.  Two businesses were identified as opening at 7:30am.

The worker may experience increased work-related stress from the unknowns associated with being alone without readily accessible help.

There are less people around to physically assist the worker in an emergency, such as a fire, robbery, or medical emergency.

One of the nearby businesses is licensed to serve alcohol, and there are often intoxicated persons sharing the outside area/carpark of an afternoon.

Alcohol can reduce inhibitions and lead to behaviour that is out of character. It is more likely that an intoxicated person will become suddenly aggressive or violent.

Harmful work-related behaviours can have both a physical and psychological impact on exposed workers.

Some of the workers are vulnerable workers aged less than 25 years.

The worker may experience increased work-related stress as they may not possess the maturity and experience to effectively manage customer-related conflict on their own.

It is more likely that a harmful situation will escalate when the worker does not have the knowledge or experience to de-escalate the conflict. The escalation could increase the severity of harm.

One of the nearby businesses has been robbed on multiple occasions in the past two years.

The worker could be exposed to harmful work-related behaviours from persons committing crimes.

It is more likely that a worker will be exposed to harmful work-related behaviours if there are repeated incidents occurring nearby.

The business incident records indicate that most hazardous manual task injuries have occurred during opening and closing.

The worker may experience increased work-related stress from feeling pressured to handle excessive loads alone to complete the shift requirements.

The worker could receive a work-related musculoskeletal injury or disease through strenuous activity or unexpected movements – for example, handling a load that shifts position.

On speaking with the workers, they have advised that they feel uncomfortable working alone because they can’t tell when a customer enters the store when they are out the back.

The worker could be caught off guard by a customer, who could approach them from behind without warning.

Harmful work-related behaviours can have both a physical and psychological impact on exposed workers.

Substitute (wholly or partly) the hazard giving risk to the risk with something that gives rise to a lesser risk.

Roster on two or more workers for opening and closing shifts where possible.

Isolate the hazard from any person exposed to it.

Installation of a service window that excludes customers from entering the store during certain hours.

Implement engineering controls.

Purchasing of trolley jacks and other hazardous manual task aids to reduce ergonomic injuries.

Installation of monitored security cameras.

Installation of a door chime that alerts workers when a customer enters the store.

Implement administrative controls.

Installation of signage indicating aggression will not be tolerated.

Developing a working relationship and direct contact channels with nearby businesses that can provide practical support in an emergency.

Organising formal de-escalation training for workers opening and closing the business.

Re-designing work to ensure hazardous manual tasks are not occurring during opening and closing shifts.

Allowing isolated workers to lock the door between customers to reduce customers entering undetected.

Developing a check-in process where isolated workers receive regular ongoing contact from their supervisor at scheduled times.

Provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Purchase of uniforms and equipment specific to the tasks that give rise to the risk (for example, stainless steel chain mesh gloves, aprons, and non-slip shoes for hospitality workers).