Tag: Occupational Safety

High temperatures and outdoor work: risks and prevention
Working outdoors can be rewarding in all seasons, but when outdoor temperatures rise and become high, there is a risk of experiencing adverse effects on workers’ health and safety. High temperatures can lead to a range of adverse conditions, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. It is essential that employers and employees are aware of the dangers associated with these conditions and take appropriate preventive measures to ensure a safe working environment.
Work hazards associated with outdoor activities
Work hazards associated with outdoor activities include exposure to extreme temperatures. The high heat of the surrounding environment can lead to an increase in body temperature, putting workers’ health at risk. Workers who perform physically demanding activities, such as lifting heavy loads or performing manual labor, as well as activities that are necessarily conducted in the sun, are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of high temperatures and subject to heat overexertion, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Symptoms of these conditions include fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, and nausea. In severe cases, loss of consciousness and damage to internal organs may occur.
For this reason, proper risk assessment is essential to identify the necessary preventive measures. Some of the suggested measures include using roofs or curtains to create shaded areas, installing air-cooling systems, taking frequent breaks in cool environments, and providing access to cool drinks and hydration. It is also critical to provide workers with the proper training on the prevention of heat overexertion and the importance of rehydration.
Prevention: what measures to take?
To prevent the risks associated with exposure to high temperatures while working outdoors, it is essential to take a number of preventive measures. Some practical tips include:
- Constantly monitor the weather forecast and adjust working hours to avoid the hottest hours of the day, if possible;
- Provide appropriate clothing, such as light, breathable, light-colored clothing, hats and sunglasses;
- Ensure that workers have access to drinking water sources and encourage them to drink frequently to maintain adequate hydration;
- Plan regular breaks during which workers can rest in cool, shaded areas.
- Provide the necessary training to employees regarding the risks associated with exposure to high temperatures and the preventive measures to be taken;
- Constantly monitor the health status of workers and encourage them to promptly report any symptoms of heat overexertion.
In conclusion, working outdoors in high temperatures poses significant risks to workers’ health and safety. It is essential that employers take appropriate preventive measures to prevent the adverse effects of high temperatures. Careful planning of working hours, provision of proper protective equipment and access to cool, hydrating drinks are just some of the actions that can help create a safe and healthy work environment even during the hottest days of the year.
Contact us to evaluate together a consulting path to increase security in your company.
June 2023
The importance of worker training for safety and business success
Worker training is a key aspect of ensuring workplace safety and fostering business growth and success. In this article, we will explore the importance of employee continuing education, focusing on its influence on safety and human capital within organizations.
Job training and safety
Worker training is essential to prevent workplace accidents. Through targeted training programs, employees gain knowledge of safety regulations, learn to recognize hazards, and are instructed in the proper use of equipment and related procedures. A well-trained workforce is able to act consciously and responsibly, significantly reducing the likelihood of injury.
The value of human capital
Worker training represents an investment in the company’s human capital. Through training, employees develop new skills and abilities that contribute to their professional development. A skilled and motivated workforce leads to higher productivity, better quality of work and innovation within the organization itself. It also fosters employee retention, reducing costs associated with staff replacement and promoting a positive work climate.
The safety training requirement
It is important to emphasize that worker training is not just a recommended choice, but a real legal obligation. Current regulations require companies to provide the necessary training to employees so that they can do their jobs safely. In general, the number of hours for general and specific training provides the following minimum total duration:
- Low risk activities: 8 hours (4 general + 4 specific);
- Medium risk activities: 12 hours (4 general + 8 specific);
- High-risk activities: 16 hours (4 general + 12 specific).
Failure to adhere to these obligations may result in penalties and legal repercussions. Therefore, it is crucial that companies engage in training their workers, ensuring compliance with regulations and the safety of all employees.
Benefits for companies and workers
Continuing education for workers brings numerous benefits to both companies and the employees themselves. For companies, it improvescorporate reputation andimage, reduces legal risks, and increases overall productivity. Employees, on the other hand, benefit from increased job security, improved skills and opportunities for professional advancement.
Companies that recognize the importance of training and place it at the center of their strategies will therefore have a significant advantage in achieving long-term success.
Discover our dedicated training services here. Investing in the training of your employees is a key step in ensuring the safety, success and growth of your company.
May 2023
World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
April 28 each year falls on the celebration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in June 2003, following the International Labour Conference, it stems from the need to highlight the importance of safe work, healthy, safe and decent work for every individual.
ITALIAN DATA.
Unfortunately, the data are not encouraging and continue to underscore how necessary it is to maintain a high level of attention to the issue. In fact, occupational injury reports submitted to Inail show that there was a 25.7 percent increase in 2021 (up 25.9 percent from 554,340 in January-December 2020 and up 8.7 percent from 641,638 in January-December 2019).
Although an encouraging figure concerns the number of fatal occupational injury reports submitted to the Institute last December (131 fewer than the 1,221 reported in 2021 or -10.7 percent), it will be necessary to wait for the Institute’s Annual Report at the end of April 2023 when the annual data will be released to have more clarity and a broader view on the trend of the phenomenon.
WHAT COMPANIES CAN DO
The current legislation represented by Legislative Decree. n. 81 of 2008 provides three distinct implementable actions that are identified as:
1 – Assessment of the risks to which workers are exposed
2 – Most appropriate safety measures to eliminate or contain the identified risks
3 – Suitable worker information and training
It is through these steps that every company takes every possible action to ensure the well-being and safety of its workers and employees.
OUR SERVICES FOR YOU
SiQ Srl., a company specializing in safety and quality services, can accompany you all the way to manage safety in the company and specifically we can take care of:
- Appointing the Prevention and Protection Service Manager (RSPP)
- Appointing the Prevention and Protection Service Officer (ASPP)
- Delegation of the Employer’s responsibilities as Manager of the company.
- Assistance and advice to the Prevention and Protection Service and the Employer
- Check-up and assessment of compliance, reporting non-compliance present and actions that need to be taken for them to be eliminated and resolved (Check-Up)
- Preparation of the general risk assessment document (DVR) with job description, organization chart, floor plans and company photo report
- Assessment of specific risks (Vibration, Noise, Electromagnetic fields, Artificial optical radiation, Ionizing radiation, Confined spaces, Work-related stress, Microclimate, Radon, Electrical, Lightning, Chemical, Biological, Asbestos, Ergonomics, Manual handling of loads, Repetitive movements, Fire, ATEX, Seismic risk, Machinery risk analysis, Mechanical risks, etc.).
- Health surveillance assistance
- Appointing the Competent physician
- Appointing the Coordinating physician (for complex organizations)
- Certified expertise specific to ISI-INAIL Appeals.
- Privacy Management
- Emergency and Evacuation Plans (EEPs) with elaboration of “You Are Here” floor plans.
- Fire projects, assistance in obtaining the Fire Prevention Certificate (CPI)
- Assisting the Employer in the development of Safety Plans (SOPs and PiMUS)
- Assistance to the Employer in control activities – Inspections at Workplaces (SLL)
- Assistance to firms in the preparation of the Unified Risk Assessment Documents (DUVRI) and the fulfillment of the obligations of cooperation and coordination in the management of contract services
- Reports and coordination reports to manage external procurement at the contracting firm
- Event management (pre-event, set-up, event, dismantling), including organization of the team in charge of fire and first aid emergency management
Scopri tutti i nostri servizi qui.
April 2023