Weather

RSS

Working in cold conditions can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and even dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t followed.

Rainfall, snow melt, coastal storms, storm surges, and dam and water system overflows all can lead to flooding. Floodwater can, in turn, cause power outages, disrupt transportation and damage buildings. In 2017, 182 people died from flooding-related incidents, data from Weather.gov shows.

Snow-covered or icy roads, and slick driving surfaces resulting from heavy rain – these are just some of the weather-related conditions that workers may encounter. All this severe weather potential raises the question: Should workplaces have severe weather policies?

The American Academy of Dermatology cautions outdoor workers to be aware of an invisible hazard: the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Exposure to these rays for hours is a major risk factor for a number of skin cancers, including melanoma – the most serious form.

Even if you don’t live or work in an earthquake-prone area, don’t dismiss the threat. Earthquakes can occur in all 50 states.

The threat of lightning is one of the hazards of working outdoors. OSHA points out that employees who work outdoors in open spaces or on or near tall objects have a significant risk for exposure to lightning.

If you work outside, it’s important to know about cold stress. Cold stress is a preventable danger that involves a person’s skin temperature – and eventually internal body temperature – dropping to levels at which the body cannot warm itself, according to OSHA. This can lead to serious injuries, including permanent tissue damage and death. Types of cold stress include trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia.

Does your workplace really need to be prepared for the possibility of a tornado? The answer is “Yes.” Tornadoes can occur anywhere and at any time, OSHA states, adding that an average of 800 tornadoes are reported across the nation every year. So, what can employers do to help keep employees safe in the event of a tornado?

A lightning strike happens faster than the blink of an eye. And just that quickly, lives can be changed.

OSHA recommends workers follow eight “rules to live by” regarding downed electrical lines.