Remote and/or Isolated Work
Remote and/or isolated work is when you are isolated from others because of the location, time, or nature of your work. Remote and/or isolated work is a psychosocial hazard.
This can include:
- Working alone
- Difficulty getting help in an emergency
- A workplace that takes a long time to enter, exit, or get to
- Having limited access to resources and communications
- Having reduced access to support networks
- Having unreliable communication or technology
Remote and/or isolated work becomes a psychosocial hazard when it is
severe,
prolonged, or
recurring. When this happens, it is a health and safety risk that should be resolved.
Employers have a duty under the OH&S Act to eliminate risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, and if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, then they must reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
Remote and/or isolated work can not only be a psychosocial hazard, but it can also increase the risks associated with physical hazards (for example, risks to physical safety, access to support, or the ability to raise the alarm in an emergency).
Experiencing remote and/or isolated work can increase the risk of work-related stress and be incredibly harmful to both physical and mental health, and it can also increase the risk or severity of harm caused by other workplace hazards.
Download “
Surveying Safety: Remote and/or Isolated Work ” to identify the risk in your workplace.