Common Hazards Faced by Outdoor Workers

More than 4,800 workers were killed while on the job in 2014, according to statistics released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). To put that number into perspective, that's roughly 13 work-related fatalities ever day in the U.S. Of course, there are hundreds of thousands of nonfatal injuries sustained by workers as well. Today, we're going to take a closer look at some of the hazards faced by outdoor workers and how to avoid them.

Sunburn

When you think of common hazards faced by outdoor workers, sunburn probably isn't the first to come to mind. However, the fact is that sunburn is a very real threat faced by outdoor workers. The sun's ultraviolet rays can cause severe burns while also increasing the risk of skin cancer. This is why it's important for outdoor workers to wear multiple, light layers of clothing, as well as a high-SPF sunscreen lotion.

Heat

Of course, heat is another hazard of working outdoors. This is particularly true during the summer and spring months, when temperatures are higher than those of the fall and winter months. Outdoor workers who are exposed to significant heat may experience heat exhaustion, or in extreme cases, heat stroke. OSHA recommends using a buddy system in his risk scenarios such as this where two workers observe each other for signs of heat illness. Taking regular breaks to cool off can also help by reducing the risk of heat illness.

Slip and Fall

Slip-all-fall accidents aren't limited strictly to indoor working environments; they can also occur outdoors. And to make matters worse, outdoor slip-and-fall accidents are often more dangerous because they involve elevated surfaces like scaffolding. Workers should always use a secondary safety system to prevent such accidents when working on elevated surfaces.

Improper Use of Tools and Equipment

Whether it's a fork lift, power drill, jack hammer, etc. workers should be properly trained on how to use their respective tools and equipment. Improper use of these items will only increase the risk of serious injury.

Poisonous Plants

No, that's not a typo. Outdoor workers must also face potentially poisonous plants. The good news is that most of these plants are nonfatal, but the bad news is that they are fairly common. You can access a list of common plants that are poisonous by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/default.html.