When we think of modern businesses, we often think about offices. We picture rows of people all inside, typing away at computers. But not every business is based indoors all the time! There are several startups out there that have to deal with outdoor projects. And these sorts of projects can come with all kinds of risks that business owners need to know how to tackle.
People working in construction often find themselves in such a position. But there are other pursuits that see employees working on outdoor projects. Handymen, charity workers, scientists, certain kinds of consultants, event organizers… Being outside for long periods of time for a project is quite common in these sorts of jobs!
These are the sorts of things you need to keep in mind if you want your employees and co-workers to remain safe out there.
Drinking water
You should be encouraging your employees to bring bottles of water with them. But even if you trust your employees to do this, you should still ensure that there’s clean drinking water available nearby. Work that takes place outdoors is often thirsty work. You tend to expend a lot more energy, so you’ll need to hydrate yourself more often. If you’re going to someone else’s property, see if they can help you with a suitable arrangement. They may have some sort of water dispenser on the premises you can use.
A retreat
When you’re outside, you’re pretty darn vulnerable. The sun may decide to show its face and turn the air blisteringly hot when you least expect it. Shade will come in pretty handy! Of course, wind and rain has also been known to interrupt many a beautiful day. And even when none of those things strike, people working outdoors for long periods of time will eventually need to sit down. Basically, what I’m getting at is a need to have a retreat from the elements. Some sort of station where workers can take a rest is vital.
Safety and contamination
Most of the time, people are considering some sort of danger when they’re working on an outdoors project. But very few people stop to consider the safety of the environment itself. Depending on where you are, there could be several dangers that could hinder your work or even risk the health of your team. Contaminated soil and hazardous materials are a good example of these sorts of dangers. They’re especially pertinent to people working in construction or renovation. If you want to consult with someone about these possibilities, you can check out a company like SESL.
Dealing with waste
Sometimes you’ll be fortunate enough to have public trash cans nearby. But what if the work you’re dealing with results in too much waste for those relatively small receptacles? However much trash you’re going to produce, you need to be able to dispose of it properly. This is something you need to think about beforehand. Research the area you’ll be working in and see if there will be suitable facilities on-site. If not, consider hiring your own skip truck for the duration of the project.
This article was provided by ellie jo