For workers engaged in remote or isolated work, the nature of the tasks can create a separation from others, posing challenges in accessing assistance, including rescue, medical aid, and emergency services. This isolation can result from various factors such as location, time, or the specific work being carried out. Even when surrounded by others, an individual can still be considered isolated; for instance, a nighttime cleaner operating solo in a city office building may experience isolation.

Workers in remote or isolated settings encompass diverse roles, including:

• Farm workers performing solitary tasks like ploughing, sowing, and managing irrigation or bore systems.
• Overnight attendants at convenience stores and service stations.
• Sales representatives, including real estate agents.
• Long-distance drivers involved in freight transport.
• Individuals conducting fieldwork alone, such as scientists and park rangers.
• Health and community workers operating in isolation while interacting with the public.

The inherent risks associated with remote or isolated work involve:

• Increased vulnerability of workers.
• Elevated potential for work-related violence and aggression.
• Limited accessibility to help during emergencies.
• Potential deprivation of crucial information, training, instructions, or supervision.
• Higher likelihood of experiencing psychological distress, leading to conditions like anxiety, stress, fear, and depression. This increased psychological strain may amplify the risk of serious injuries or even suicide. Factors contributing to this distress can include the negative impact of work on family relationships, feelings of exclusion and disconnection due to a lack of support from colleagues, and external elements such as environmental challenges (e.g., drought in the agricultural sector).
• Lack of familiarity of the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) with the remote-working environment and its potential hazards, posing an additional risk to workers.