The Dangers Of Summer Work Outdoors
Mark A. Steinberg
Personal Injury
Outdoor summer jobs anywhere can be difficult at the peak of the heat, especially in Florida. Along with that heat, outdoor workers have to deal with humidity and the labor they have to do. If you are someone who is planning on taking on an outdoor job during the summer, you need to be aware of the risks so you can better defend yourself against workplace accidents and injuries.The Risks
When working in the heat, it is easy to become overheated or slip and fall after an afternoon thunderstorm. It is also possible for the bright sunlight to cause a temporary visibility issue, which may prove to make your job outdoors even more dangerous.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 40 percent of injuries while working outdoors are strains, sprains, and tears. Even minor injuries like those can lead to a compromised environment for workers and can cause an employee to miss out on work due to their injuries.
During the summer months, there is an even greater risk for agricultural, construction, and maintenance workers who spend a good majority of their working time outdoors. They not only have to expose themselves to high and uncomfortable temperatures but also have to contend with humidity and the strain that their job puts on them. Those factors can cause several workplace injuries and illnesses, including:
• Dehydration: This is one of the more common issues outdoor workers face during the summer. They may be overly focused on the work they are doing and forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. Employers need to ensure that they allow proper time for rest and water breaks.
• Heat Stroke: A heat stroke can cause health issues and even death in some cases.
• Slip and Falls: Because of summer storms, slip and falls are more common. Even a minor slip and fall accident can cause bruising, scrapes, and other injuries that will need immediate attention.
• Power Tools: If a power tool were to slip from a worker's hand, it could cause serious injury. Some tools have even been known to malfunction or overheat because of high temperatures and humidity.
• Electrocution: This is another real possibility and risk when working outdoors because workers often find themselves near puddles because of afternoon storms. A single shorted wire can cause a worker to be electrocuted.
Improving Working Conditions
It is the employer's job to ensure safe working conditions for their employees. Therefore, there are a few things they can do to help with this. Employers should supply workers with properly working tools and equipment and see to it that everyone knows how to use all the equipment on the job site.
Work surfaces should be kept as dry as possible, and workers should have access to protective gloves, helmets, hardhats, goggles, and other safety equipment they need. If employers fail to take those measures, then workers can get into harmful situations while on the job.
Employers need to carry workers' compensation insurance as required by law to help cover on-site injuries. It ensures that the injured worker can file a claim and receive medical care under the coverage.
If you are an employee who was injured while on the job and are having issues with workers' compensation, then you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to help. They can assist you during the process and guide you in the right direction when it comes to filing your claim and getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries.