Working Alone or in Isolation Protocol

1. The purpose of our protocol

Our protocol sets out how Adelaide University manages risks associated with working alone or in isolation requiring the use of hazard management. It outlines principles and practices for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of staff, students, and volunteers participating in Adelaide University (AU) teaching and research activities where they are undertaking work alone or in isolation.

This protocol should be read in conjunction with the Hazard Management Procedure, which gives effect to the Wellbeing and Safety Policy.

2. Our protocol applies to

2.1 Inclusions

members of our Adelaide University Community engaged in remote or isolated work.

2.2 Exclusions

Remote or isolated work conducted as part of Field Work activities. These requirements are covered under the Field Work Protocol.
Working from home. These requirements are covered under flexible work arrangement processes.

3. Our working alone or in isolation protocols

3.1 Roles and responsibility

University roles and responsibilities for managing Wellbeing and Safety risks, including those risks associated with working alone or in isolation, are set out in the Hazard Management Procedure.

3.2 Managing the risks of working alone or in isolation  

The table below outlines key roles and responsibilities for managing the risks of working alone or in isolation. 

Role	Responsibilities	Protocols
[Manager/ Supervisors] – College /School/Portfolio/ Research Institute	Must: Ensure hazards associated with working alone or in isolation are identified and managed.  Document hazards associated with working alone or in isolation in Unisafe. Ensure controls listed in Unisafe are implemented, including communication protocols. Consult with staff, students and others on safety and wellbeing matters that are likely to impact them. Provide information, training, instruction, and an appropriate level of supervision, to staff, students, and others where relevant.	Maintain work process for working alone or in isolation that include effective regular communication. Refer to Appendix A for guidance. Complete risk assessments in Unisafe on the remote or isolated work activity where there is uncertainty on the required risk controls. Ensure risk controls identified in the risk assessment are implemented, maintained and tested, including any required communication equipment, communication and emergency response procedures. Communicate to relevant staff, students and others, the hazards, controls, communication and emergency response procedures. Use effective risk management, supervision, and control measures based on the experience of staff, students and others. Initiate the escalation / emergency response to communications if appropriate. Notify the Executive Dean/ Unit if there is an incident.
Staff and students	Must: Follow the instructions and work practices established in their local area. Report hazards in Unisafe.	Comply with the established remote and isolated work practices and instructions. Download the SafeZone app and register when working alone outside of business hours. Do not place yourself or others at risk. Follow reasonable instructions. Report incidents via Unisafe.

3.3 When the presence of others is required

Some work should not be undertaken in alone or in isolation and may require another person/s to be immediately present, or on the floor or in the building. Examples of such activities include the use of:

x- rays and high-powered lasers 
exposed, energised electrical or electronic systems 
large volumes of flammable solvents 
Schedule 4, 8 or 9 poisons 
radioactive sources 
research projects which include substances or materials hazardous to health.

Some work is classified as too hazardous to be undertaken alone or in isolation and should be undertaken during normal working hours or when qualified assistance and supervision is available.  Examples of such activities include:

use and disposal of hazardous substances where there is a significant risk of injury or exposure  
use of naked flames associated with flammable solvents 
extreme temperature environments, e.g. cool rooms 
working at heights or in confined spaces 
areas where power tools or hand tools (including welding) that could cause injury are used 
areas where moving machinery is used 
any task assessed as high risk.

4. Definitions used in our protocol

The following definitions are applicable to this protocol, for generic Adelaide University definitions refer to the Glossary of Terms.

Adelaide University Community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary title holders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers, and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.   

(The term Adelaide University Community is used instead of the term Worker as defined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)). 

Field Work is work that is conducted off-campus and may include activities such as:

visits to rural or remote areas 
water, agricultural, surveying, adventure or construction activities
off-campus research (e.g., collecting geological samples or biological specimens)
collaborative field activities with other institutions 
undergraduate teaching and learning activities 
offshore study tours.

Unisafe is the online system used by our staff and students to manage information related to wellbeing and safety issues. This includes reporting incidents, injuries and hazards to ensure timely investigations, risk assessments and control measures are applied to keep our community safe. 

Remote or isolated work refers to situations where a person may be exposed to risks because: 

the area they are working in is remote from others or isolated from the assistance of others (such as rescue, medical assistance and the attendance of emergency service workers) because of the nature, time or location of their work  
the work involves the operation or maintenance of hazardous plant, or the handling of a hazardous substance 
the work is dangerous for a person to perform alone.

5. How our protocol is governed

5.1 Compliance

Field work management at Adelaide University is conducted in compliance with the following established regulations and guidelines:

Legislation & Code of Practice

University related documents and resources

5.2 Governance

This protocol is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

Parent policy	Authority to create and maintain this protocol is granted under the Hazard Management Procedure
Policy category	Corporate
Approving authority	Executive Director People, Advisory and Wellbeing
Policy owner	Deputy Vice Chancellor People and Culture
Responsible manager	Deputy Vice Chancellor People and Culture or their delegate
Effective from	1 March 2026
Review date	1 March 2029
Enquiries	Wellbeing and Safety Team
Replaced documents	None

6. History of changes

Date approved	To section/clauses	Description of change
28 Jan 2026	N/A	New protocol

Note on structures, positions and position titles:

At the time of writing, the organisational structure, positions and position titles for Adelaide University have not all been confirmed. Accordingly, square brackets [ ] temporarily enclose position titles in this procedure until position titles for Adelaide University are known.

Appendix A

 Recommended local processes for working alone or in isolation

Low risk work activity
For example: office or computer-based work or other work activity determined as low risk	persons working back or coming in outside of normal working or class hours should advise Security that they are on Campus, their location and advise again when they are leaving. persons working off-campus, should advise their supervisor of their location, work commencement and expected completion time. if the working alone time is lengthy, for example, greater than 2 hours, arrange times to phone a contact person to confirm personal safety. inform your contact person of your location and how to contact Security / your supervisor in the event of a missed call. adopt personal security measures, e.g. lock doors, walk in well-lit areas, request a security personal escort as required.
Other work activities (not low risk)
Establish a work process including effective regular communication	Obtain authorisation (e.g. exchange of emails) to work alone or in isolation from relevant manager/supervisor prior to commencement of work including agreement on: the extent of the regular communication arrangements, dependent on the type of work undertaken. dedicated contact person and arrangements agreed for two-way communication. the method and intervals of communication. The amount of contact depends on the potential risk and the experience of the individual undertaking the work.
Other hazard management controls	Where there is uncertainty on the required risk controls, a risk assessment is to be completed in Unisafe on the remote or isolated work activity, required controls may include:  accessing or leaving the site  medical and emergency assistance required and the availability of those resources if outside normal working hours  the level of supervision required  possible consequences of unattended substances, equipment or experiments in the area  level of training of the person involved  security of the area  the means of communication in the area disclosure and consideration of any pre-existing medical conditions that may give rise to a dangerous or life-threatening situation when working alone.
Safe operating procedures	Safe operating procedures may need to be developed for the circumstances involving working alone/remotely including:  the procedure for security  the system for communication  communication equipment  the procedure for response to an incident any special training required  first aid.