There’s no doubt that some work is more dangerous than others. Obviously, when you think of dangerous industries your mind will leap to the extremes like astronauts and mountain climbers but the truth is, there are a number of industries which come with challenges.
For business owners, mitigating these risks is key to maintaining both a successful business and a positive working environment – after all, employees that feel safe will work better and faster. As health and safety has changed drastically over the years, it’s equally important for business owners to stay aware and in the know, otherwise, their practices may become outdated or ineffective.
In this guide, we are going to look at some industries of note where business owners can make an impact on the safety of their staff.
Construction
The construction industry is one of the most dangerous to be a part of, though it does depend on what aspect you are involved in. Architects and civil engineers usually don’t have to take part in the dangerous side of the job but the labourers can find themselves in risky situations. In particular, roofers and specialist builders working on exceptionally large buildings will work from height regularly, opening up the risk of a large and life-threatening fall.
For business owners, the answer to this threat is training. There are thousands of training considerations for construction companies, ranging from regular health and safety training to first aid. What’s most important is that staff are trained on not just how to be safe in general but also how to use their equipment safely. Some of the most dangerous machinery is used during construction works and understanding protocols is essential to reducing risk.
Hauling, Logistics and Trucking
Whilst most truckers spend their time on motorways travelling across countries, there are some which can be placed in more challenging scenarios. Ice truckers and logistics workers in more remote areas can often find themselves in extremely dangerous settings as part of their work.
Usually, for truckers in these remote settings, it won’t necessarily be individual mistakes that cause risks to their health. Often, it’s the terrain and area in which they are working which can lead to threats on their life, such as breaking the ice or getting trapped in torrential rain.
For businesses in these industries, maintaining safety is a matter of education and preparation. Often, the threats that logistics workers come under cannot be predicted as they are natural phenomena, in which case you need to ensure that drivers are aware of what they need to do when faced with a risk. Additionally, search and rescue teams are essential for providing assistance when someone is trapped or in need.
Logging
Logging is consistently listed as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and for good reason. Loggers often have to work at extreme heights when cutting trees and can be at risk of falling out. Additionally, staff utilise heavy machinery, large chainsaws and power tools, all of which can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly. Not to mention the risk of trees falling on top of people.
On top of these challenges, what makes logging particularly dangerous is the locations in which it takes place. Often, logging occurs in remote locations that are a long distance from the nearest hospital and can’t be accessed easily by helicopter due to the forest and landscape. This means that if someone does get injured, it can take a long time for them to be seen by a medical professional.
Again, business owners need to focus on training to avoid these dangers. Processes and machinery need to be handled properly at all times to keep every member of a logging team safe. Additionally, having a clear leader will help maintain cohesion and unity, which is essential for logging safely and successfully.
Hopefully, this will have shed some light on how some industries, including those you may not have expected, can lead to serious health risks and challenges. Business owners owe it to their staff to keep everyone as safe as possible so, whatever organisation you are a part of, you should expect to feel as safe as possible when at work.
