Product Overview

Summary: This Remote and Isolated Work Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for managing the health, safety and welfare of workers who perform duties away from direct supervision. It supports Australian businesses to meet their WHS obligations by setting out robust planning, communication, monitoring and emergency response requirements for remote and isolated work.

Remote and isolated work is a critical WHS risk area for many Australian organisations, from community services and home care through to construction, utilities, local government and resources. Workers operating alone, in rural or remote locations, outside normal hours or away from immediate assistance face heightened exposure to hazards such as violence and aggression, environmental extremes, vehicle incidents, medical emergencies and psychological stress. This Remote and Isolated Work Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, defensible approach to identifying, assessing and controlling these risks before work begins and while it is underway.

The SOP translates legislative duties into clear, day‑to‑day practices, ensuring workers are properly prepared, equipped, supervised and able to summon assistance when needed. It covers planning and risk assessment, communication and check‑in systems, lone worker devices, journey management, fatigue control, training, incident response and post‑incident support. By implementing this procedure, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, support their workers’ physical and psychological safety, and create consistent expectations across teams and locations. It is particularly valuable for organisations with a dispersed workforce who need a practical, ready‑to‑use framework that aligns with Australian WHS laws and recognised best practice.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with WHS duties for remote and isolated work under Australian legislation.
• Reduce the likelihood and severity of incidents involving lone or remote workers through structured risk assessment and control measures.
• Standardise how remote and isolated work is planned, authorised, monitored and reviewed across the organisation.
• Strengthen worker confidence by providing clear expectations, communication protocols and emergency response procedures.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers with a documented, repeatable system for managing remote and isolated work risks.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners
• Directors and Officers (PCBU representatives)
• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Field Service Managers
• Team Leaders
• Human Resources Managers
• Fleet and Logistics Coordinators
• Community and Outreach Workers
• Home Care and Support Workers
• Field Technicians and Service Trades
• Environmental and Surveying Teams
• Construction and Civil Project Managers
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Local Government Field Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Working alone without immediate assistance in the event of injury or illness
• Occupational violence and aggression when visiting client homes or public spaces
• Vehicle incidents during remote travel or long‑distance driving
• Environmental and weather‑related hazards (heat stress, cold exposure, storms, flood, bushfire)
• Poor or unreliable communications coverage in rural and remote areas
• Slips, trips and falls in unfamiliar or poorly maintained locations
• Fatigue from extended hours, driving and irregular shifts
• Psychological hazards including stress, anxiety and isolation
• Medical emergencies where access to first aid or emergency services is delayed
• Wildlife and livestock hazards in regional and remote settings

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Remote Work, Isolated Work, Lone Worker, PCBU)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation Requirements
• 4.0 Planning Remote and Isolated Work Activities
• 5.0 Remote and Isolated Work Risk Assessment Procedure
• 6.0 Control Measures for Remote and Isolated Work
• 6.1 Communication and Check‑in Protocols
• 6.2 Lone Worker Devices and Monitoring Systems
• 6.3 Journey Management and Travel Planning
• 6.4 Fatigue Management for Remote and Isolated Work
• 6.5 Environmental and Weather Risk Controls
• 6.6 Occupational Violence and Aggression Controls
• 6.7 Psychological Health and Wellbeing Considerations
• 7.0 Required Training, Competency and Induction
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment and Remote Work Equipment Requirements
• 9.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response for Remote and Isolated Work
• 9.1 Escalation and Failure‑to‑Respond Procedures
• 9.2 Incident, Near Miss and Security Event Response
• 10.0 Reporting, Incident Notification and Post‑Incident Support
• 11.0 Recordkeeping, Documentation and Data Privacy
• 12.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
• 13.0 Related Documents, Forms and Checklists (e.g. Remote Work Plan, Check‑in Log, Journey Management Plan)

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risks of Working Alone
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Fatigue at Work
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS/NZS 2299.3 (for relevant remote diving operations, where applicable) – Occupational diving operations
• AS/NZS 2416 (where relevant to remote marine environments) – Lifejackets and personal flotation devices