Is your Workplace ready to tackle the Challenges of the Monsoon Season?

We are at the lag end of summer. The monsoon indeed is one of the much-anticipated events of the year. Though it provides a much-needed respite from the scorching summer sun, there are plenty of downsides too. You have to focus on keeping your workplace and employees healthy and safe, this rainy season.

Indeed, we have already been hearing reports of heavy rains lashing a few parts of the country, and everyone still remembers the floods that wrecked Chennai in 2015. Other cities like Mumbai, Pune and across the rest of India suffer from inevitable flooding every year.

Tips to Work Safely in the Rain

If your employees work outside during the rainy season, (example construction workers), they have to deal with additional hazards like poor visibility, slippery and wet surfaces. Here are a few industry best practices to prevent injuries and accidents while working in the rain.

• Work Slowly with Extra Attention

Instruct employees to move carefully and slowly. While working in the rain, it’s a natural tendency for workers to hurry up with the task at hand. They want to get it completed quickly so that they can get back inside and escape the lashing rains. However, employees must do the exact opposite. Rain makes even regular surfaces slippery. This is why; your employees must work slowly and carefully to avoid slips and falls, especially while climbing scaffolds, ladders, etc.

• Use the Right Equipment

Do not use electrical gear and tools that are not equipped for outdoor use, especially in the rain. When using handheld tools like drills, hammer, etc., look for one with non-slip, textured grip handles, so that your employees don’t drop it accidentally in the rain.

• Beware of Live Electrical Wires

This is one of the biggest dangers that employees are exposed during the rainy season. As you know, water is a good conductor of electricity and can cause severe shocks, when employees touch live wires, electrical sockets and other hazardous electrical equipment, that has been exposed to rain.

As a precaution, make sure to repair all electrical equipment before the onset of monsoon. Cover all outlets with protective covers to protect them from the rain. Also, instruct employees to work with electrical equipment and gadgets only while wearing the right protective gear. And, report any damaged equipment to the concerned authorities immediately, before it poses a major problem.

• Don the appropriate Rain Gear

When employees are cold and wet, they are more likely to be concentrating on the weather rather than the task at hand. Ensure that all employees working outdoors have the right rain gear. This includes a waterproof coat as well as pants or weatherproof overalls. The fabric should be designed for wet, outdoor use and must be ventilated properly.

Also, ensure that the rain gear is of the right size. Too big, it will end up hindering movement.

• Don’t forget the Right Footwear

Footwear that is designed to be worn in the rain must have deep treads to prevent employees from slipping on wet surfaces. Also, ensure that rain footwear is in the right condition. If it’s worn down or has holes, it doesn’t serve the purpose.

To keep the feet of your employees dry, ensure that the top of the boot or shoe extends to the calves or at least above the ankles. Also, ensure that employees leave the top of the shoes inside the pant leg, rather than tucking the pants into the shoes.

• The Hands need Protection Too

Employees need a steady hand grip when using hand tools. However, with rain, hands become cold and wet, thereby losing grip. Look for gloves that fit snugly and come with non-slip grips. Also, to prevent water from entering into gloves, you have to ensure that the ends of the glove fit tightly under the cuffs.

• Goggles for the Eyes

If employees wear glasses or goggles, then provide them with wipes or anti-fogging sprays so that visibility isn’t hampered when venturing outside. Additionally, employees can wear hoods to keep the rainwater away from their eyes and face. However, remember that hoods restrict visibility. Thereby, always instruct employees wearing hoods to look both ways and above and below while doing a job.

Also, ensure that the outdoor area is adequately lit and use lights that are designed for outdoor use.

• Wear Bright Coloured Jackets or Vests

Provide employees with bright-coloured or reflective vests or jackets while working outdoors in the rain. This is especially needed when they work in areas that have vehicular traffic like forklifts, cars, trucks, etc.

Next, let’s take a look at few

Tips to Stay Healthy during the Rainy Season

• Follow a healthy diet

The rainy season is when your digestive system and other organs are most vulnerable. Make sure to include a healthy balanced diet. Avoid street foods. Also, to stay clear of water-borne diseases, only drink water that is either boiled or filtered.

• Stay Hydrated

While you may not feel perennially thirsty like summer, it’s essential that you take in adequate water. Instead of caffeinated soft drinks, sugary juices and other alcoholic beverages stick to plain water. You can try detox water or herbal teas for a change.

• Don’t walk in the Rain

While it may be tempting, to get wet in the rains, doing so invites a host of viral and fungal infections. Also, if your feet get wet, make sure to get them dry immediately. Staying in wet shoes and socks invites several diseases. Keeping an extra pair of clothes and footwear in your office bag or cubicle is a great idea.

• Use a Mosquito Repellent

This is the season of these annoying pests. So, make sure that you spray yourself with mosquito repellents before you leave the house.

• Bathe twice a Day

A shower in the morning as well as a warm shower as soon as you reach home after work keeps all infections at bay. Also, don’t touch your eyes with your hands. This could lead to the spread of eye infections, and cold. Make sure that you watch your hands before eating.

Final Thoughts

While monsoons are indeed a blessing, the season comes with several safety hazards. Use the tips listed here on this page, to reduce safety hazards at work and reduce the risk of injury and accidents to your employees.

After all, prevention is the best cure. And, it indeed pays to take the right steps to keep your employees safe and healthy this monsoon. For further help or any other specific safety training or assessment, get in touch with our team by giving us a call @ +91-124-661-3137 or +91-124-266-3021.