If you’re going to spend any significant amount of time working outdoors, then you’re going to need to take health and safety seriously. That means accounting for the unique combination of risk factors that outdoor work can present. Let’s take a look at what that might entail and how to protect yourself when working outside.
Prepare for Every Forecast Before Your Shift Starts
One of the defining features of outdoor work, particularly in the UK, is that it’s difficult to be certain of the environment you’re going to be working in before you get started. This matters because work that takes place in pouring rain is likely to require a different approach than work that takes place in blazing sunshine. You’ll need to think about the clothes you’re going to wear, and the hydration you’ll need – and that means checking the forecast the day before you set out.
Wear the Right Protective Clothing for the Conditions
Different kinds of PPE are appropriate under different conditions. During winter, you’ll want to wrap up warm – perhaps with the aid of heated workwear. During summer, you’ll want to protect the top of your head against UV exposure. This might mean throwing on a hat, or it might mean applying sunblock. In many cases, you’ll do both of these things.
Recognise the Signs of Heat and Cold-Related Illness
When you’re exposed to extreme conditions for long enough, you’ll begin to suffer health consequences. Waiting for ideal conditions is rarely practical, which means that we’ll instead need to manage the situation. Think about the symptoms you’re likely to encounter, and how you’ll intervene when they emerge.
Preventing problems is often a matter of taking on board the right fluids, and drinking plenty of water. If you notice symptoms and don’t take action, then it might be that those symptoms worsen. Don’t be tempted to ‘power through’, since attempting to do so might cause greater harm in the long term. Your productivity will suffer if workers are encouraged to risk their health in the pursuit of immediate objectives on the site, so it’s better to protect yourself when working outside.
Stay Alert to Everyday Outdoor Hazards
Some of the hazards that we encounter outdoors are only tangentially related to the temperature. For example, we might consider the risk posed by ice during winter. Slips and falls can be extremely dangerous. Working should be aware of the environment around them at all times, so that problems can be addressed before they have a chance to cause illness or injury.
Of course, it’s also essential that we address potential sources of risk proactively through risk assessment, in the same way that we would in an indoor work environment. Having a culture that minimises risk can be extremely useful, not only in preventing injury, but also in reducing legal risk.
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