Safety Tips For Outdoor Tradies: Essential Safety Measures for Working Outdoors
Safety Tips for Outdoor Tradies | Essential Safety Measures for Working Outdoors
Working outdoors can be dangerous, especially if you are not taking the necessary precautions to stay safe. There are a few key things that you can do to make sure that you are as safe as possible while working.
First and foremost, it is important always to wear the appropriate safety gear.
This includes things like hard hats, goggles, and gloves. You should also be aware of your surroundings and be cautious when working in potentially hazardous areas.
Additionally, it is important to stay hydrated and take breaks regularly.
And finally, make sure to know what to do in an emergency situation.
Wear Your Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is essential for anyone working outdoors. This equipment can protect you from various injuries, including cuts and lacerations, hearing damage, and eye injuries.
It is important to familiarise yourself with the laws surrounding using PPE in your state or territory, as they vary across Australia.
Make sure you wear all of your PPE correctly to ensure maximum protection.
Get Away from The Sun
Working outdoors can be great for tradies because they enjoy the fresh air and natural surroundings.
However, it also comes with a risk of exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays. This can cause skin damage, increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
Tradies must take simple precautions, such as avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, wearing sunscreen and sunglasses, and staying hydrated to reduce this risk.
But most of the time, you will not find the proper shade to work from. This is where The Trade Shade comes into play. This magnetic umbrella holder fits any umbrella and can be set on almost any surface, anywhere.
By using The Trade Shade, you will be able to carry your portable work shade everywhere you go.
Always Be Alert
Working outdoors can be dangerous, especially if you are not paying attention. There are many hazards you need to be aware of, including but not limited to: falling objects, electrical hazards, and hazardous materials.
It is important always to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Additionally, it is crucial to take safety measures seriously and always follow proper safety protocol.
This includes being aware of potential dangers when working with tools and ensuring all tools are properly put away when finished.
Take Breaks
Working outdoors can be a great experience, but it also has its dangers. Taking breaks and stretches is essential to ease any pain you may be feeling, and avoid fast food for healthier options.
Maintaining good mental and physical health is essential when working outdoors.
Tradies First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is a piece of essential safety equipment for any workplace, but especially for those who work outdoors. It is important to keep a first aid kit handy and ensure all workers on the site know where to find it.
Well informed about the kit's contents and knowing how to use it in an emergency can be a lifesaver.
Stay Safe at Heights
Working at heights is one of the most dangerous things you can do on a construction site or outdoor repair and installation tasks.
Falling from heights is the leading cause of fatality. There are a few key safety measures you can take to stay safe while working at height:
- ⦁ Make sure the ground is level before placing a ladder.
- ⦁ Use ladders properly - have at least three points of contact on the ladder while going up or
- down.
- ⦁ Secure ladders in position so they cannot slip.
- ⦁ Do not set ladders in wet areas.
Site Safety
Working outdoors always comes with risk, no matter your profession. However, by taking some essential safety precautions, many of these risks can be mitigated.
In addition, using tools and equipment that meet safety standards helps create a safer workplace. It is also essential to do regular safety risk assessments so that potential hazards can be identified and addressed before they cause an accident.
Working outdoors can be dangerous, especially if the proper safety precautions aren't taken.
Practice Good Lifting Form
Many workplace injuries are attributed to tradies taking shortcuts and not using the correct form and technique when lifting heavy objects. To reduce your risk of injury, make sure to:
- ⦁ Straighten your lower body and use your legs whenever lifting something heavy.
- ⦁ Reduce speed and distance to reduce the risk of injury.
- ⦁ Take help from co-workers to move heavy things.
Maintain Your Mobility
When you are working outdoors, it is vital to maintain your mobility. This can be done by stretching regularly. This will help avoid tightness all over the body and will help you stay safe while working.
You can improve mobility by doing simple toe touches, calf stretches, etc.
Care for Your Mental Health
Working outdoors comes with a unique set of risks, including the risk of injury and death. However, one of the lesser-known risks is the mental health of tradies. Tradesmen are more likely to take their own life than tradeswomen, and suicide rates among tradies are significantly higher.
One reason may be that tradies are under a lot of pressure to meet deadlines and maintain a work-life balance.
Additionally, many tradies feel like they can't ask for help when struggling. It's important to remember that it's ok not to be ok, and there is always someone who can help.
Mental health is just as important as physical health; sometimes, it's even more important to take care of. Working outdoors in dangerous conditions makes it easy to forget about our mental health.
However, we should take time out to talk to someone about our problems and how we're feeling. We can also spend time with family or go on a trip to help us unwind.
What Is My Employer’s Duty of Care to Ensure I’m Safe as a Tradie?
As an employee, you have the right to expect your employer to take all necessary steps to ensure your safety while working.
While there is no way to prevent all workplace injuries, employers must put measures that minimise risk and protect employees.
Employees are also responsible for their safety on and off the job.
It is important to remember that even one serious injury can be life-altering.
More Essential Safety Measures for Working Outdoors
UV Exposure
When carrying out activities outside, it is essential to be aware of the level of UV radiation that is present and takes steps to protect yourself. This includes assessing whether the activity can be carried out indoors or in the shade, protecting equipment and yourself from UV radiation, and wearing loose clothing and long sleeves to reduce thermal stress.
Lightning
Employers are responsible for ensuring their employees are aware of the dangers posed by lightning and know what to do in the event of a storm. Workers should always seek shelter indoors or in an enclosed vehicle during a thunderstorm. If caught outside, they should crouch down with their feet together – do not lie down.
Shelters
Shelters are an absolute must for any work area. Shelters protect your workers and you from sun exposure and rain. Also, having a shade is handy when you need to work outdoors. You can work freely without worrying about the natural elements.
This is where The TradeShade comes into play.
The TradeShade umbrella holder protects against the elements while keeping umbrellas safe and secure. It's also easy to use and portable. You can set it up anywhere and forget that it is even there. You do not need to worry that the umbrella will fall off against a strong wind.
This portable shade can be used anywhere; thus, you do not need to worry even when the sun is out with its full power.
Clothing
Clothing for protection against the sun should be made of light-coloured fabric and fit loosely. It is important to wear long sleeves and cover your legs.
First Aid
It is best practice for construction companies to have one first aid officer per 25 workers. Additionally, first aid kits and equipment must be placed in an easily accessible area on-site so that they can be used in the event of an emergency.
Work Scheduling
There are a few simple ways to ensure outdoor work is done safely and as efficiently as possible. First, try to schedule work for the cooler parts of the day. Second, reduce the amount of time spent outdoors by each person. Third, make sure that all planned work is completed. Finally, minimise staff times outdoors when possible.
Conclusion
Our blog safety tips for outdoor tradies are the breezily go-over-top safety tips for outdoor tradies.
Staying alert and staying under shade is the key when it comes to the safety of outdoor tradies.
It is essential to have a portable and functional shade structure to help protect you from the sun, rain, and any other elements they might throw at you.
That is why we made the TradeShade, a perfect companion for outdoor tradies so that they can safely work. The TradeShade enables a portable and adjustable shade set up on any surface and at any angle.
Tradies all over Australia are in love with the TradeShade. Check it out here!
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