Workers who are subject to spending their time outdoors performing onsite duties should take extra precautions to ensure safety. Safety is the number one priority for workers and should be taken seriously to avoid any injury or harm. Here are five important safety tips to consider for your outdoor workers.
Provide Hi-Vis Rainwear
Weather conditions can be unfavorable, which may subject your workers to working amid rain or other extreme weather conditions. You should provide hi-vis rainwear to protect work from rain and poor visibility if the rain obscures vision.
Provide Hi-Vis Vests
Even if the weather is clear, you should still provide your outdoor workers with hi-vis vests to allow them clear visibility during the day, and especially at night. This will help to keep account of workers and allow their counterparts and passersby to see them during low visibility situations.
Emphasize the Importance of Hydration
Another important safety tip for outdoor workers is to stay hydrated. When working strenuously in the sun, it can be easy to become dehydrated. Provide a hydration station or encourage workers to stay equipped with water to stay energized and hydrated throughout the workday. This is critical to workers’ health, as dehydration can lead to exhaustion and other unwanted health issues.
Use Sun Protection
Being exposed to the sun for hours on end without protection can be detrimental to the skin. Encourage your workers to use sun protection and reapply it as often as they can to protect their skin from sun damage.
Know the Signs of Heat Illness or Hypothermia
Heat-related illnesses are real, and so are cold-related illnesses. It’s essential to equip your outdoor workers with knowledge about the signs and symptoms of these extreme weather conditions. It’s important that they are informed so that they can act quickly if they or a co-worker is affected.
Here are a few signs of heat illness:
- Extreme weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- High body temperature
- Fast and weak pulse
And here are a few signs of hypothermia:
- Shivering
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
These safety tips should be implemented to keep your workers safe and productive. Working outdoors can be unpredictable, so it’s best to remain prepared so that your workers can be proactive instead of reactive.
