The principal working-alone provision for the federal jurisdiction, every province, and every territory in Canada.
Current to August 3, 2026 — prepared with KEA Associates. Ready reference only; confirm current consolidated legislation and sector-specific requirements before relying on this document.
The references below identify the principal general provision. Sector-specific rules may impose additional staffing, attendant, rescue, first aid, violence-prevention, or communication requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Legal Approach | Principal Reference | Employer Responsibility — Practical Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | General duty / task-specific | Canada Labour Code, Part II, s.124; Canada OHS Regulations; Labour Program IPG-059 | No general stand-alone lone-worker rule. Protect employees through the hazard prevention program and applicable task-specific requirements; assess hazards, implement controls, emergency arrangements and supervision appropriate to the work. |
| Alberta | Specific rule | OHS Code, Part 28, ss.393–394 | Treat working alone as a hazard. Provide effective electronic communication with regular contact at risk-appropriate intervals; where electronic communication is impracticable, require visits or worker contact at appropriate intervals. |
| British Columbia | Specific rule | OHS Regulation, ss.4.20.1–4.23 | Identify, eliminate or minimize hazards; develop written well-being check procedures, including a designated person, check intervals, missed-contact response and a final check; train workers and review procedures at least annually. |
| Manitoba | Specific rule | Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 9, ss.9.1–9.3 | Identify risks in consultation; develop and implement safe work procedures, including communication and emergency response; train workers, post procedures and review at least every three years or sooner when circumstances change. |
| New Brunswick | Specific rule | Code of Practice for Working Alone Regulation, N.B. Reg. 92-133, ss.2–4 | Establish a working-alone code of practice, consult the committee or representative as applicable, provide required equipment and ensure the code is followed. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Specific rule | OHS Regulations, 2012, s.15 | Conduct a risk assessment; control identified hazards; establish written well-being checks with intervals, missed-contact and emergency response steps; designate a monitor, record contacts, consult and review at least annually. |
| Northwest Territories | Specific rule | OHS Regulations, s.33 | Consult to identify hazards; take reasonable measures to eliminate or reduce risk, including an effective communication system suited to the risks. Safe procedures, training and emergency access support compliance. |
| Nova Scotia | General duty / task-specific | OHS Act, s.13; applicable Occupational Safety General Regulations | No general prohibition or stand-alone working-alone regulation. Assess lone-worker hazards under the general duty and comply with task-specific requirements, including situations requiring an attendant or immediate assistance. |
| Nunavut | Specific rule | OHS Regulations, s.33 | Consult to identify hazards; take reasonable measures to eliminate or reduce risk, including an effective communication system suited to the risks. Safe procedures, training and emergency access support compliance. |
| Ontario | General duty / task-specific | OHSA, s.25(2)(h); workplace violence provisions ss.32.0.1–32.0.8; sector regulations | No general lone-worker regulation. Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances, assess workplace violence risks and establish protective measures and procedures; follow sector and task rules that prohibit lone work or require an attendant. |
| Prince Edward Island | Specific rule | OHS Act General Regulations, Part 53, ss.53.1–53.5 | Develop and implement written procedures addressing risks, communication/check frequency, contact records, missed-contact and rescue, and end-of-shift checks; ensure compliance, training and availability of procedures to an officer. |
| Quebec | Specific rule | Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, s.322 | When a worker performs work alone in an isolated place and cannot request assistance, implement an effective intermittent or continuous monitoring method. Additional task-specific prohibitions and staffing rules apply. |
| Saskatchewan | Specific rule | OHS Regulations, 2020, s.3-24; late-night retail s.3-27 | Consult to identify risks; take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or reduce them; provide effective communication. Controls may include regular contact, task limits, competency standards, PPE, procedures and emergency supplies. |
| Yukon | General duty / task-specific | OHS Regulations, s.1.04 and applicable task-specific provisions | No broad stand-alone working-alone rule. Take all reasonable precautions, eliminate or control hazards, establish safe work procedures, and provide information, training, PPE and task-specific staffing or rescue controls where required. |
Use note: The legal references are deliberately concise. Always check the current consolidated regulation, related violence-prevention and first-aid requirements, and any sector-specific rule governing confined spaces, electrical work, diving, mining, forestry, explosives, work over water, lockout, or other high-risk activities.
Wherever your teams work in Canada, LoneComply's isolation types, escalation rules, and audit trail adapt to the applicable requirements.