Temporary Staffing – Weather Risks in Roofing and Construction
When your workers are temporarily sent to fill roles in roofing and construction, they can take all the steps to protect themselves from common workplace injuries, but there’s one factor they can’t always control: the weather.
Whether they’re working on a roof or inside a home to look at a plumbing issue, temporary workers in roofing and construction are susceptible to a wide range of weather-related injuries and illnesses. For hot conditions, these include:
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
- Heat cramping
- Loss of consciousness due to heat, which can lead to slip-and-falls and other injuries
- Dehydration
In colder conditions, temporary workers in roofing or construction might be an increased risk of conditions like:
- Slip-and-falls from snow and ice
- Frostbite
- Hypothermia
While some weather-related conditions go away with minimal rest or treatment, others can be fatal. For example, someone could suffer a fatal or life-altering traumatic brain injury after a fall from an icy roof, or heat could exacerbate a preexisting health condition.
Protection for Temporary Workers
If they do not have proper training on how to deal with hot or cold weather hazards in their environment, temporary workers are at an increased risk of serious weather-related conditions like these. To help your temporary workers avoid hot and cold weather risks, here are a few safety steps you can take.
- Risk identification: Be aware of the common signs of weather-related illnesses, and educate your employees about the warning signs of conditions like heat stroke. By making sure they’re aware of early symptoms, you can work to prevent more serious issues.
- Appropriate clothing: Encourage employees to wear weather-appropriate clothing, like layers in cold weather or light colors in hot weather.
- Limited exposure: In extreme weather conditions, implement policies to allow for minimal exposure, like switching shifts or implementing a policy on required, regular breaks.
- Emergency procedures: Have a procedure to deal with heat-related illnesses and accidents, so you can take immediate steps to help employees in an emergency.
Another key step of protecting your employees is having strong Workers’ Compensation coverage. With Workers’ Compensation coverage, you can help your temporary staffing employees find the care and compensation they need after heat-related illnesses or other occupational injury or illnesses. However, it can be difficult to secure the right Worker’s Compensation for your business. Since temporary staffing is considered a high-risk industry, you may find yourself dealing with stressful challenges like high premiums or limited coverage.
At WCBIS, we help temporary staffing business owners find the best Workers’ Compensation and payroll solutions. To learn more about our services and how we can help your temporary staffing business, visit us online at https://www.wcbis.com.
