Question

How do I keep my workers safe when working off site?

Answer
By Art Maat | Last updated: February 5, 2023
Presented by Nektar Data Systems

This is a great question and it's a concern for many types of businesses. Landscaping, construction, plumbers, welders – all can spend much of their workdays off site (by which we simply mean somewhere other than their business location).

No matter where workers are doing their work, the same safety rules and regulations apply. This means employees must still wear appropriate PPE and follow the safety standards and regulations set for the environment and type of work they are performing.

The Professional

Working safely must be a habit and is a hallmark of professionalism. When we hire contractors, we expect them to understand what kinds of hazards they may be exposed to and apply the appropriate control measures. In fact, this is one of the reasons we hire professionals: so the work is done in the most efficient and safest manner.

It’s important to remind workers that they represent the company that employs them. They are company ambassadors. How they act should reflect the values of the business for whom they work. Taking pride in what we do and how we do it is part of our professionalism.

We need to train employees to work safely, as a professional construction worker, landscaper, plumber, mechanic, and so on. Safety rules and procedures are never optional. This means proper use of harnesses for elevated work surfaces, using lockout tag out

Advertisement
, chalking tires when needed, and following all other safety rules that are appropriate to the type of work being performed.

(See Understanding Lockout/Tagout Safety to learn more about this procedure)

We can’t watch our employees all the time, and we should not need to (nor would they want us to). We must be able to trust employees to act according to company values, including safety.

Safety First

When contracting jobs, make sure your employees and those hiring your services understand that safety comes first. This is a mark of integrity and shows that you value people. Contracts should state explicitly that all safety rules must be followed. We need to empower our workers so that if they are asked to perform unsafe acts or work in hazardous conditions, they have the confidence to say no.

(Find out How to Refuse Unsafe Work)

It’s not that we don’t intend to get the job done; it's that we need to find a way to get it done safely.

We are all performance driven. No one wants to be the person to say they can’t get things done. So we need to stress a "safety first" attitude and make it part of our professionalism. On-site or off, make sure employees understand what you expect from them in regards to safety: safety mus come first.

A professional mechanic that plans on working tomorrow works safely today.

Presented By

Logo for Nektar Data Systems

Share this

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • X

Written by Art Maat | President & CEO

Art Maat
In his founding role as President & CEO of Nektar Data Systems Art is responsible for supervising the products and services that the company offers. His area of expertise centers around the evangelism of industry best practices for data and asset management initiatives. He actively consults executive and operations level management of customer and partner companies.

More Q&As from our experts

Term of the Day

Edge Effects

Edge effects are defined in ecology as the influence that two ecological communities have on one another where they meet at…
Read Full Term

Let's Make Workplaces Safer!

Subscribe to the Safeopedia newsletter to stay on top of current industry trends and up-to-date know-how from subject matter authorities. Our comprehensive online resources are dedicated to safety professionals and decision makers like you.

Resources
Go back to top