Working in Isolation
Policy Number
701
Policy Purpose
This approval process provides a risk evaluation framework for compliance with UWSA Policy 620: Working in Isolation.
Responsible UW-Whitewater Office
Director of Risk Management
Definitions
Emergency Assistance: A means of communication to gain assistance in the event of an emergency involving an accident or serious injury, illness, or threat of violence.
Hazard Analysis: A job assessment technique to identify hazards before they occur which focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment.
Hazardous Chemicals: Any chemical which is classified as a physical or health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas or hazard not otherwise classified (29 CFR 1920.1200).
Hazardous Materials: Any substance or material that may pose an un-reasonable risk to health, safety, property, or the environment (40 CFR 261; 49 CFR 171).
Hazardous Operations: Activities that may pose a reasonable risk to health, property, or the environment. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, operations involving electrical or mechanical hazards, high temperature or extreme weather conditions, hot work, etc. See Appendix for UWSA Policy 620 for a list of potentially hazardous operations.
Person in Charge of the Work: One who is qualified, has supervisory or management authority or is delegated by an authority to have control of the work such as a Principal Investigator, department manager or supervisor. This qualified person can identify the hazards associated with the work at hand and has the responsibility for safety compliance.
Potentially Hazardous Environment: Examples include teaching and research laboratories, studios and workshops, greenhouses and agricultural fieldwork, areas where grounds and maintenance activities occur, other research facilities, etc. See Appendix for UWSA Policy 620 for a list of potentially hazardous operations.
Working in Isolation: Individuals are working in isolation when they cannot be seen or heard by another qualified individual, cannot expect a visit from another individual within a reasonable amount of time, and/or where assistance is not available when needed.
Policy and Procedures
UW-Whitewater is committed to providing safe and healthy higher education environment for students, faculty, staff and others using university programs and facilities. As part of this commitment, it is essential that the university have completed risk assessments, hazard analyses, and procedures in place for circumstances that may require an individual to work in isolation in a hazardous, potentially hazardous, or high-risk environment.
A. Individuals conducting hazardous operations or using hazardous chemicals or materials within campus laboratories, studios and workshops, research facilities or similar environments ordinarily should NOT work in isolation. Those performing maintenance or repair of equipment or campus property involving hazardous operations, chemicals or materials ordinarily should NOT work in isolation. At least one other individual who is knowledgeable of safety equipment and can come to the aid of the worker should be in visual or audible range. These procedures do not supersede activities that have more stringent requirements such as permit required confined spaces.
B. Individuals may work in isolation if their supervisor has completed a Job Hazard Analysis Form and consulted with the Director of Risk Management for that employee’s position. The employee will complete the online Working in Isolation Checklist and submit to their supervisor for approval. Confirmation of this approval will be in the form of a permit issued to the individual working in isolation.
References and Related Documents
OSHA Act 1970, General Duty Clause
Regent Policy Document 23-2, Health, Safety, and Security at UW System Institutions
Wis. Stat. 101.00, Employer's duty to furnish safe employment and place
UWSA Policy 620: Working in Isolation
Appendix
There are potentially hazardous operations on each campus and the risk may increase when an employee or student works in isolation under such conditions. Based on specific hazard assessments the campus shall determine if the hazards can be mitigated and whether such activities should be closely monitored, restricted or disallowed. The following are a few examples of hazardous operations, activities, and conditions that are common on a campus. Each campus should determine other hazards that are not included in the list below.
Potentially Hazardous Activities
- Cash handling
- Electrical work and use of high energy equipment
- Extreme weather conditions
- High temperature equipment, such as ovens or kilns
- Field studies, including the use of watercraft, traps, nets and live specimens; poisonous plants or animals; and work with research animals
- Laboratory functions
- Welding, hot work, and similar operations
- Work with cryogens or infections agents
- Work with equipment under high pressure
- Work with flammable and combustible material
- Work with hazardous or toxic chemicals
- Work with heavy machinery or equipment
- Work with portable and stationary power tools
- Work in remote or isolated areas
Campus Department Examples (where working in isolation may present risk of injury)
- Athletic Facilities
- Cash handling and public interactions
- Extreme weather conditions
- Heavy equipment
- Facilities Maintenance (Custodial, Building and Grounds, Heating Plant, Physical Plant, etc.)
- Biological materials (e.g., poisonous plants or animals, potentially infectious materials)
- Compressed gases
- Confined spaces
- Elevated temperatures, noises and heights
- Electrical hazards
- Extreme weather conditions
- High energy equipment, heavy machinery, power tools
- Hot work
- Isolated or remote work areas
- Radiation sources
- Food Services
- Cash handling and public interactions
- High temperatures
- Unguarded equipment
- Natural and Physical Sciences
- Biological materials (e.g., live specimens, poisonous plants or animals, pathogenic and potentially infectious materials)
- Chemicals (e.g., corrosive, combustibles, flammable, reactive, toxic)
- Compressed gases
- Electrical hazards
- Extreme weather conditions
- Farm and fieldwork equipment
- Lasers, radioactive materials and other radiation sources
- Visual and Performing Arts (Theatre, Art, etc.)
- Cash handling and public interactions
- Chemicals
- Dust, silica
- Heights
- Hot work
- Power tools