Many of us will be familiar with the year-round workplace safety risks of our workplaces, however there are a number of risks that are specific to times of the year. During the summer months, we see seasonal risks associated with hot, dry weather – particularly where work activities occur outdoors. Besides being a risk to your employees, uncomfortable working conditions can lower productivity levels. The following list recaps some of the simple things you can watch out for as the summer months settle in.
Sun Safety
Exposure to the sun should not be confused with heat. UV rays pose hazards to workers, particularly those who spend long periods of time working outdoors such as construction workers, by causing damage to the skin. Even in overcast conditions there is still a risk of exposure to UV rays, so taking precautions on a daily basis is an important habit to keep.
Short term effects include sunburn which ranges from a mild reddening on the skin, to more serious burns that will blister and peel. Sunburn can also contribute to fatigue and dehydration.
According to a recent IOSH report, one UK study found that the level of UV rays that workers are exposed to over a lifetime could cause non-melanoma skin cancer. In fact, the report states that more than 3,000 cases of skin cancer reported every year are caused by outdoor work in construction and other industries. Outdoor workers are at an adverse risk of excessive exposure during the summer due to the nature of their work, meaning proper protection from UV rays and sun exposure is extremely important.
There are a number of precautions that should be taken to be Sun Safe with regards to workplace safety. Sunscreen should be applied on a regular basis, and this sunscreen should be a broad spectrum that protects against UVA and UVB rays (Irish Cancer Society). Bear in mind that sunscreen will wear off due to sweat so reapply as needed. Wearing light and loose fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible such as long sleeved shirts and wide brimmed hats and sunglasses can also protect your skin and eyes.
Heat-related illness
It takes time to acclimatise to hot weather conditions, and very often in Ireland we see spurts of extremely hot weather and even heat waves. As these conditions can be unpredictable, it’s important to be aware of the dangers extreme heat can cause in the workplace.
Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to regulate its internal temperature and overheats. There are a number of factors that will contribute to heat stress, such as the rate or intensity of work, humidity levels, hydration, and the weight or insulation levels of clothing. Some of the most common symptoms include poor concentration, heat rash, muscle cramps and fainting. Heat exhaustion can lead on from this if not treated, and symptoms could include headache, giddiness, nausea, damp skin and even severe thirst – a late and serious symptom. If these symptoms are not treated, heat stroke may occur. This is the most severe heat related disorder that occurs, and can even result in death if not detected and treated early enough. Symptoms to watch out for include chills, irritability, disorientation, rapid shallow breathing and fainting.
Other dangers
Extreme heat and physical labour or exertion will increase the rate at which our bodies lose water, depleting hydration levels and thereby causing a health and safety risk. Symptoms include thirst, fatigue, muscle cramps, confusion, dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating and hot, dry skin.
Very often, visibility can be reduced due to glaring sunlight and steps should be taken to mitigate this risk. These steps should include the clear identification of work zones and the use of barriers surrounding them. If the work zone is on or near a road, a lower speed limit should be introduced, and workers should be equipped with the appropriate level of high visibility apparel.
Summer safety tips
Here are some simple workplace safety precautions you or your employees can take when working during the summer and hot weather.
- Plan and prepare: if your employees work outdoors, you may need to go beyond the usual health and safety measures and put additional measures in place to mitigate risks. This might include sunscreen or re-organising the workday so that the most strenuous tasks are scheduled for cooler times of the day, or mandating breaks in the shade.
- Dress appropriately: seasonal uniforms or equipment may be needed. In the summer months, this clothing should not only prevent exposure to the sun, but also be breathable and light so as to prevent insulation or overheating. Appropriate PPE should always be supplied.
- Stay hydrated: bear in mind that hydration requirements will rise along with temperatures and levels of work. Workers should avoid caffeinated beverages and instead opt for water or sports drinks that contain electrolytes.
- Training & Education: assist your employees by training them to recognise the signs of heat-related illness.
If you are unsure where to start with a workplace safety plan for the summer months, want to ensure your plan and processes are up to standard, or to fine tune and improve your precautions, you can speak to a member of the Ayrton Consultancy team today. Contact us today to find out more.
As the long evenings start to set in and the winter season begins, so does the prospect of severe weather occurrences. Whether you are an employer or employee, it’s important to be aware and prepared during this time, as the number of potential risks and hazards that can occur in your workplace increases.
For employers, your first step in winter preparations should be a thorough risk assessment – including indoor and outdoor areas. Both can be prone to weather related hazards, and many areas can become slip, trip or fall hazards during this time of year.
Weather Warnings
Make yourself familiar with the various weather warnings and alerts, so that when Met Éireann issues a warning you will be prepared. The most common alerts are:
- Status Yellow: While this weather does not necessarily pose a threat to the general population, it can be dangerous at a local level and you should be aware of your surroundings and potential threats..
- Status Orange: These conditions may pose a threat to life and property, and you should prepare according to your location and situation. Outdoor activities should be delayed or cancelled if appropriate.
- Status Red: These warnings are rare and very dangerous, with severe weather expected. You need to take action to protect yourself, your employees and your property. Follow all instructions issued by authorities and prepare for the unexpected.
You can learn more about the Severe Weather Chart at met.ie.
Preparations
There are a number of things you need to consider when preparing your business for severe weather:
Impact on your place of business
- How can various weather scenarios affect the place of work? Is the location prone to flooding, are access points liable to difficulties such as ice, and are water pipes insulated correctly?
- In the event of extreme weather, you should have all information and contact details for key services and local authorities captured.
- And before the winter really sets in, it is advisable to review your insurance cover and discuss any concerns with your advisors.
Impact on employees
- How will your business operations be impacted? Have you considered an event where employees may be unable to attend their place at work?
- To ensure business continuity, ensure you have up to date employee contact details and a communications plan in place in the event of an emergency
- You may need to consider implementing shift work or remote working, and how HR practices in your business can cater for this
- Management responsibility should be clearly assigned for the necessary planning and preparations, and it is advisable to identify any business critical roles
- For all situations, you should be considering measures that need to be taken to ensure your employees can work safely while at their place of work
Cold Weather Hazards and Tips
There are a number of hazards you need to be aware of that are specific to cold weather. These include: unsafe driving conditions, slip and fall injuries, structural stress and damage, fire activity, power outages, cold-exposure, or delays due to school and road closures.
To help keep your employees out of harm’s way, there are some simple steps you should consider:
- Monitor emerging weather conditions and associated threats;
- Consider whether conditions are suitable for outdoor work;
- Communicate your plans to employees. They will need to know about remote working, how power outages may affect their work, who their emergency contact is, any changes to working hours or shifts, and from whom or where they can find relevant updates;
- In the case of extreme weather, consider where remote working may be more safe for employees;
- Ensure your workplace is made safe based on your recent risk assessment.
Checklist
The key to staying safe is being well prepared and aware of your surroundings and situation. There are a number of items that should be on your winter workplace checklist, including gritting, preparing a winter readiness plan, heating, ventilation and roofing.
You can read more about preparing Your Winter Workplace Checklist in this useful guide.
If you would like a personal consultation regarding preparing your workplace for the winter, or any other health and safety concerns, feel free to get in touch with our team on info@ayrton.ie, or phone 01 838 5595 or 021 421 0331.