Exposed & at Risk: Make Employees Safe Working in the Elements

Working in extreme heat or cold can pose a risk to any employees, but the risk and severity are increased with lone workers.

By: Gen Handley, Contributor

When people work alone, they are incredibly vulnerable. And, when they are working alone out in the elements, the safety of these employees can be at significant risk. People who work outside and in isolation, exposed to extreme weather and temperatures, face major safety challenges, because these are occupational circumstances in which access to help—as well as request for that help—can be difficult due to weather conditions.

In the following article, we will look at simple-but-effective strategies that employers and employees can take to improve safety in such environments, including a comprehensive safety program, updates to PPE, development of safety protocols and procedures—as well as use of existing technologies and devices to ensure sure your employees are ok.

Risks of Working Outside

For those working in isolation and outside, or in unregulated temperatures, the range of safety risks can be incredibly diverse throughout the year, depending on where they work. In the colder months, workers can face occupational winter hazards such as:

• Frostbite
• Injury from slips and falls
• Winter driving accidents
• Hypothermia
• Low-visibility conditions

Employees working outdoors face may face occupational hazards in the summer including:

• Heat illness and heat stroke
• Dehydration
• Wildlife, insects and irritating plants
• Sunburn
• Poor air quality

However, without any coworkers to help in the unfortunate case of these hazards, the risk and severity are increased, making a mild case of work dehydration potentially serious.

Over the past decade, there have been major advancements in safety technologies for remote workers. They’re smaller, easier to use and more effective than ever. © TeTe Song – stock.adobe.com

Legal Obligations & Responsibilities

No Federal legislation in the U.S. currently protects lone workers. Still, there may be specific regulations and standards within your industry for working alone, which must be documented—especially in the case of global enterprises, which could face multiple lone worker legislation and regulations across different jurisdictions. Additionally, lone workers might also be protected under the OSHA’s General Duty Clause, which states, “all employers provide a work environment ‘free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.’”

In addition, employers have a moral responsibility to take every step available to protect those working in the elements. The employer owes it to the employee performing their job in some very hot (or cold) occupational environment to make it as safe and comfortable as possible.

Implementing Safety Measures Now

Mother Nature might be impossible to control, but it is possible to prepare, and employers can proactively take steps now to make sure their people and organization are ready for any extreme and dangerous weather that could impact their work.

Health and Safety Program

A first, critical step to helping protect these people is creating a safety program around your specific and unique occupational landscape, including conducting regular hazard assessments of the current dangers your employees face, such as potential environmental and weather risks. A good health and safety program should include safety practices and protocols, as well as PPE, equipment and information relevant to employees’ well-being.

The program also provides important information to help employers recognize symptoms and signs of OHS issues before they worsen. For example, when working in hot environments, managers can see the symptoms of heat stress (below) beforehand, getting workers help and to a cool place before their health declines further:

• Excessive sweating
• Weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness and confusion
• Clammy skin
• Muscle cramps
• Flushed complexion

Updated and Maintained PPE

Within your safety program is an inventory of all the PPE employees use for work safety and specific occupational hazards. This, of course, includes people working outside and exposed to different weather elements, requiring employers to provide waterproof, warm clothing and gear as mandated by the OSHA for responsible winter preparedness.

In the sweltering summer months, employers can provide protective PPE, such as cooling garments and worn devices to make sure staff can work safely. Summer PPE can also include shading, UV and sun visors to protect workers’ faces from the hot sun.

Safety Protocols & Procedures

The safety protocols and procedures under your program should be regular practices that could potentially save the worker’s life in an emergency. Ensure all protocols are communicated to all relevant employees and parties, emphasizing why they are in place. For example, the safety of people working alone can be effectively monitored by establishing a safety check-in system where they confirm their safety with the employer. This safety protocol is a significant practice and must be documented and communicated to the rest of the organization.

Current Technologies & Devices

Particularly for people working in remote environments, you want to employ the best technologies to monitor and track their locations in bad weather. The number-one type of safety hazard for lone workers is slip, trips and falls, which can be monitored by fall protection technology and motion sensors on existing everyday devices, such as smartphones.

Over the past decade, there have been major advancements in safety technologies which have become smaller, easier to use and more effective than ever. Not only are there technologies available to track locations and detect dangerous falls, but employers can address other OHS challenges as well—including dangerous external temperature and gas detection with advanced, nanotechnology-embedded garments; and smart, protective helmets with health monitoring and hands-free communication.

Plan and Prepare

As unpredictable as the natural elements can be, it’s best to prepare now so that we’re ready for whatever is in our meteorological future. By working closely with lone workers and providing the safety tools and technologies available, employees can weather any storm that comes their way. IHW

Gen Handley is Marketing and Growth Coordinator with Tsunami Solutions Ltd. gen.handley@safetylineloneworker.com