Our CSI Executive Team recently approved the new Lone Worker Program, which is designed to bring awareness to the hazards that are inherent when working alone.
Lone workers are those who perform tasks by themselves for more than two hours on a regular basis without close or direct supervision or those who may be unable to obtain immediate assistance from others.
“Hazards that are associated with working alone were brought to the attention of the CSI Executive Team,” said Carl Smith, CSI Program Team member. “We ended up researching what other utilities were doing for their lone workers to help create this program. It is designed to bring awareness to hazards and incorporate safety measures to control or mitigate the exposures to them.”
Lone workers go out in the field for a myriad of reasons, from checking meters, pipes for leaks, and location services. Because many GUC lone workers are out in the field at a variety of locations and encounter different types of people and circumstances, situational awareness is important. From personal security hazards to workplace violence to animal encounters, lone workers are met with challenges that 80 percent of employees at GUC will not experience in their day-to-day activities.
Developing safety supports for lone workers began several years ago within the Water Department. Leadership recognized some exposures that staff experienced as they worked at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants and while out gathering water samples at homes and industrial areas.
“The Water Department had already made a lot of adjustments to keep our staff safe,” Director of Water Systems David Springer said. “The Lone Worker Program is codifying what our current practices are within this department. It is good to have standards for all lone workers within GUC because different employees are met with different situations.”
Director of Electric Systems John Worrell said there are several positions in Electric that are lone workers, including operators, meter technicians, and substation electricians. From overnight dispatch staff who may need check-ins to those who go out and troubleshoot issues after hours, these employees have been met with unique safety challenges.
“We have had several close calls and incidents,” John said. “We’re glad we are finally getting to address these concerns. Our folks are going to be so much safer because of these efforts.”
The Lone Worker Program specifically outlines the definition of what a lone worker is and identifies 40 positions at GUC that fall under that description.
“In the Gas Department, we have several technicians who work alone and are tasked with going inside customers’ homes. We have ULS staff who work alone around the public and with contractors,” said Durk Tyson, Assistant Director of Gas Systems. “To be a lone worker can look different depending on what someone’s job is. We have had to put a lot of time into identifying the lone worker positions and what to do to address those unique risks and exposures.”
The program has a tailored approach to each lone worker position. It outlines when an employee should communicate their whereabouts so that someone is always aware of their location and what they are doing – especially if it is after hours or involves entering customer homes.
It also features specific training for situational awareness, which will enhance the employee’s ability to know what is going on around them by giving them the tools to identify exposures, process, comprehend, and respond to critical elements of the situation.
The program will also feature De-Escalation Training for those workers who are met with aggressive and angry behaviors. This training will teach techniques to recognize, prevent, or diffuse volatile situations or aggressive behavior.
Both trainings will be required within the first six months of employment and then once a year.
Lone worker exposures will also be included in other existing safety programs, such as SafeAlign, Job Safety Briefings and Lighthouse Observations.
