Prevention of the risks related to isolated work: evolution and constraints. Investigation carried out with a sample of companies

The prevention of the isolated worker in France always remains of topicality and raises more and more questions concerning implementation. The studies carried out by the INRS in the years 1980-90 showed the role of isolation acts in the genesis and the gravity of the accident as well as the constraints related to the organisational and technical prevention. The evolution of the work context, technologies of communication and legislation required a progress report of the situation.
The inquiry carried out with a selection of enterprises shows an acknowledgement of the problem but small enterprises and tertiary tasks are more particularly involved. Nevertheless, the implementation of prevention remains incomplete and centred on installing instructions and procedures, including triggering an alarm in case of accident.
The results allow to draw up a typology of jobs, based on the kind of isolation, duration, nature of tasks and risks. This categorization may help to implement better prevention strategies, in particular with regard to choice of alarm materials.