Remote and Isolated Work

Remote and Isolated Work

Remote work refers to work in areas where access to communications and resources is difficult. Additionally, travel time to the workplace or back to the nearest city or town might be lengthy, increasing the time away from contact.

Isolated work refers to work in places where there are no or few people around. This can make it exceedingly difficult to seek help from others particularly in an emergency situation. However, there are situations where an employee can be considered working alone or in isolation even though people are close by such as when working from home.

Your employer has a duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 to " provide and maintain so far as is reasonably practicable for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health." [Section 21(1)]

The new Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 also require your employer to eliminate or mitigate psychosocial hazards – working alone or in remote and isolated conditions can present psychosocial hazards in addition to physical hazards.

Examples of Remote and Isolated Work:

Working in remote areas
Night-shift workers
Fly in fly out workers
Working from home
Working in isolation from other colleagues
Travelling alone

Risk Management Strategies to deal with remote and isolated work

Before a worker is being placed in a remote or isolated workspace, ensure that an employer has conducted thorough risk assessment specific to the location to identify hazards and vulnerabilities.
Make sure that your employer has clear policies and procedures in place that cover the unique risks arising from working in remote or isolated locations. These should include guidelines for communication, emergency response and work-life balance.

Controls your Employer can Implement to Manage Remote and Isolated Work:

Ensure that workers aren't working alone where possible.
Create a risk management system for the risks of remote or isolated work
Set up adequate communication systems that workers always have the ability to communicate with others regardless of location including a nominated back up contact
Automatic warning devices that raise the alarm in an emergency
Alternative workspaces provided for those that are working from home in unsafe conditions ie. after a natural disaster or when fleeing domestic violence

OHS Reps resources

Other useful Union publications

ACTU: Mind Your Head campaign to improve workplace mental health
ACTU: Work Shouldn't Hurt survey report 2021

WorkSafe resources:

Safe Work Australia resources:

See Also

The National CFMEU construction branch has issued an alert [pdf] for its members in the wake of what it says is an increased tendency in the industry for workers to be working alone.
WorkSafe Victoria:
- 2011 information sheet for Working Alone which provides about identifying and controlling risks associated with working alone, concentrating on occupational violence.
- Remote or isolated work - part of the Work Well Toolkit
- Working alone, remotely or in isolation work policy template
From Comcare, listed as a psychosocial hazard: Remote or Isolated Work.
From Western Australia:
- A Guidance Note: Working Alone. The guide gives advice on how to maintain appropriate standards of occupational safety and health in relation to people who work alone in a range of workplaces including workplaces in remote areas.
- Frequently Asked Questions and a Checklist on Working Alone, and also a Checklist for Commercial Vehicle Drivers.
- Information on Travelling in Remote Locations.
HSE UK page on Lone Working, which provides advice to both workers and employers. There are a number of resources, including Protecting Lone Workers - How to manage the risks of working alone [pdf]
Working Alone Safely - Guidelines for employers and employees This document has been produced by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada), and may be useful for reps.

Updated May 2026