Overview


Who does the policy apply to?
The new policy applies to all Department employees and workplace participants while they are engaged in their normal duties (refer examples below). It does not apply to emergency response work(ers) or visitors.

  • Field staff requiring overnight accommodation to complete surveying work.
  • Office-based staff traveling to an after-hours community engagement forum in a location that requires more than 1 hour of driving.
  • Authorised officers undertaking compliance work in remote areas and potentially engaging with members of the community.


How will the policy help reduce risk?

Many activities performed by DEECA (and by workplace participants) are undertaken in remote locations that can be several or more hours from work centres, emergency services or medical support. These environments also include areas with limited radio and/or mobile telephone coverage.

These factors heighten the risks associated with travelling or working alone or in isolation. The most significant risk is sustaining an illness or injury that precludes self-rescue or timely access to medical attention. This may be the result of the individual’s:

  • limited capacity to call for emergency assistance; and/or
  • reduced likelihood of being found by a responsible person within a reasonable timeframe in the event that they become incapacitated.


New tools support improved processes

JourneyMate assists with planning and managing work activities, including assessing risks and implementing an appropriate call-in schedule.

New satellite radio devices are also available.

A new third-party call centre service will replace the current Call In Reporting System (CaRS) later this year.

Background

The Working in Isolation project was established in 2019 as part of a review of DEECA’s working alone and in isolation policies and procedures.

Following a consultation period with DEECA staff the project launched the following initiatives to improve and support how DEECA workers and other workplace participants reduce and manage risks associated with working alone or in remote areas: