| Title: | Working Alone in Immediately Hazardous Environments |
|---|---|
| Policy Owner: | UConn Storrs and Regional Campuses Division of University Safety – Environmental Health and Safety UConn Health |
| Applies to: | University Workforce Members, Students |
| Campus Applicability: | All UConn Campuses |
| Approval Date: | September 8, 2026 |
| Effective Date: | September 9, 2026 |
| For More Information, Contact | UConn Storrs and Regional Campuses Phone: (860) 486-3613 Email: ehs@uconn.edu UConn Health |
| Contact Information: | (860) 486-3613 |
| Official Website: | UConn Storrs and Regional Campuses: Environmental Health and Safety UConn Health: Environmental Health & Safety |
PURPOSE
To help prevent injuries while Working Alone with hazardous materials, equipment, or in areas that may result in serious injuries that pose an immediate threat to life or health.
APPLIES TO
This policy applies to workforce members and students including, undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers exposed or potentially exposed to an Immediately Hazardous Environment.
DEFINITIONS
Working Alone: A workforce member or student performing work without the direct supervision or physical presence of a qualified coworker to provide Direct Observation or emergency response.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value: An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.
Immediately Hazardous Environment: Any area where materials, equipment, activities, or circumstances could result in incapacitation and/or a serious life-threatening injury rendering an individual unable to seek assistance. Examples include, but are not limited to: exposure to acutely toxic chemicals or gases at a level approaching Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH); work with explosive or pyrophoric chemicals; work with pressurized chemical systems; entry into confined spaces; work on or near exposed energized conductors greater than 50 volts (students); working on or near high voltage equipment at or greater than 600 volts (qualified employees); or work with power equipment that could pinch or entangle body parts and/or clothing.
Unit Managers: Department heads, principal investigators, faculty, managers, supervisors, student club leadership, and others responsible for assigning work to workforce members or students that involve potential exposure to an immediately hazardous environment.
Subject Matter Expert: A safety professional from the UConn Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) or another qualified person who provides guidance to Unit Managers and/or their designees regarding the requirements and procedures for Working Alone in immediately hazardous environments.
Direct Observation: A second person in the line of sight or close hearing range assigned to monitor an individual working in an immediately hazardous environment.
POLICY STATEMENT
No University workforce member or student is permitted to work alone in an Immediately Hazardous Environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
All Workforce Members and Students are responsible for notifying their Unit Managers of situations that present the possibility of an individual Working Alone in an Immediately Hazardous Environment. Workforce Members and Students whose work involves Immediately Hazardous Environments must remain current with all EHS and work-area-specific training requirements, adhering to all safety procedures mutually agreed upon with their Unit Manager, and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS/EH&S) is responsible for assisting Unit Managers and individuals in identifying Immediately Hazardous Environments and Working Alone situations, upon request. EHS shall assist in the recognition and assessment of actual and potential hazards, provide guidance in developing appropriate controls to prevent injuries, and review the Workplace Hazard Assessment forms to ensure the proper PPE is available for the proposed work. Under OSHA, if there is an IDLH situation or environment or other circumstances Immediately Hazardous, EHS/EH&S has the authority to stop work restrict access or cease operations and require corrective measures before work may resume.
Unit Managers are responsible for identifying the risks of materials, activities, conditions, or areas that may place an individual in an Immediately Hazardous Environment. When uncertain about the risks associated with a specific task, substance, or location, Unit Managers must consult with EHS/EH&S or another qualified Subject Matter Expert to assist with hazard identification, risk assessment, and the development of appropriate controls.
The Unit Manager is also responsible for ensuring that individuals are properly trained, procedures are in place to minimize risk to the greatest extent possible, and PPE is readily available and being used, as documented in the Workplace Hazard Assessment form.
ENFORCEMENT
Violations of this policy and any related procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code.
PROCEDURES
When a Unit Manager determines that an Immediately Hazardous Environment exists, either alone or through consultation with EHS/EH&S or other subject matter experts, the Unit Manager must notify all affected workforce members and students and:
- Assign a second, qualified person who is familiar with the hazards and emergency procedures to keep watch and provide Direct Observation at all times for the duration of work in the Immediately Hazardous Environment; or
- Reschedule the work to a time when others are available to help monitor the welfare of the individual.
RESOURCES
UConn Storrs and Regionals
EHS Website
Workplace Hazard Assessment form
UConn Health
UConn Health EH&S Website
UConn Health Workplace Hazard Assessment Form
POLICY HISTORY
Replaces: Consolidation of the UConn (last reviewed January 2013) and UConn Health (last reviewed April 2017) Working Alone Policies
Policy Created: 08/17/2026 (Approved by the University Senior Policy Council)