For employees who are required to make service calls as a part of their regular workday, there are numerous safety considerations that have to be taken. Every new residence or business you step into is an unfamiliar environment that may hold unknown hazards, and it’s important to protect oneself at such times.
A new report focused on the pest removal industry holds insights for anyone whose job requires them to visit different places throughout the day, and if you fall into that category, you should take note of the advice.
As the author wisely notes, the biggest hazard may not have anything to do with your destination. You may be in an industry like pest control that requires the use of chemicals, but more often than not, accidents occur not in conjunction with these materials but on the way to the home.
You need to be careful at the wheel when you’re driving to visit a residence. The more miles you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risk. Put the phone down when you’re driving, even if an employee is trying to contact you on a handheld cellphone. Safety-conscious employers will respect the laws of California and not put employees in danger by sending texts or placing phone calls to drivers out in the field. In fact, policies should be in place that limit this type of behavior.
It’s also an employer’s responsibility to train their drivers to approach obstacles on the road in the correct manner. All drivers should have valid licenses, while employers should revisit safe practices on a regular basis so that drivers know what is expected of them and what would be out of bounds in terms of safety.
Weather is also going to factor in to safety precautions, both at the wheel and when you arrive at your destination. You must be especially cautious when traveling through rainy or icy roads. In hot weather, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and applying sunscreen so that you don’t get tired and let safety slide while you’re on working on a job. In the winter, you’ll want to make sure to bundle up so that the cold doesn’t get to you. If you’re freezing and your job requires you to climb or handle materials, the weather can have a significant safety impact. Be careful.
Finally, no matter what time of the year you’re working during, be safe with ladders. You should never go past the optimum weight as listed on the unit, and you shouldn’t place the ladder on an unsteady surface just to get a job done quicker. If there’s ever a choice between safety and speed, safety should win out every time.