When it comes to workplace safety, there’s nothing worse than being left in the dark, figuratively and literally. As far as the latter is concerned, most companies have no choice but to have employees working at night or in dark conditions.
These unique circumstances require additional safety measures that may not apply in all situations. Since it’s easy to overlook circumstances, we wanted to share some working in the dark health and safety tips for employers to pass along to workers.
Dress Appropriately
Wearing the right clothing is the first step in staying safe while working in the dark. Encouraging workers to wear high-visibility vests or jackets is the least that employers can do. Keep in mind that these are usually worn under normal conditions. More times than not, working in the dark health and safety needs to go a step further. Every piece of clothing an employee is wearing should be reflective or bright. Even down to their shoes, employees should avoid wearing any dark colors so that they can be visible without a lot of light.
Bring the Right Equipment
In addition to the normal forms of personal protective equipment, there will be special PPE for employees in the dark. For example, equipping every work with a flashlight is a step in the right direction. This can help them stay visible while also increasing their ability to see their surroundings. If it’s a particularly dangerous area, employees in the dark should consider carrying a whistle that can be used to signal that they need help.
Work in Pairs
Sometimes, working in the dark health and safety involves the buddy system, just like a middle school field trick. Every little workplace hazard becomes that much more dangerous in the dark, which is why it’s always best to avoid employees working alone. If there are more than two people working together, even better. To maximize working in the dark health and safety, it’s best to have as many eyes as possible to make sure that any potential hazards are detected.
Watch Out for Fatigue
Even if employees are prepared to work at night, employers should train workers to be aware of the signs of fatigue. Working at night or in dark places can trick a person into thinking that it’s time to sleep, even if slept during the day. Needless to say, this can lead to workers feeling tired, which can increase the likelihood of a mistake. The best thing workers can do is be aware that they might feel more tired from working in the dark and take steps to make sure they stay sharp during their shift.
Avoid Distractions
Obviously, this should be true all the time. But it’s even more important for working in the dark health and safety. Given the lack of light and the potential for fatigue and other hazards, it’s even more important for employees to keep their focus. No matter the type of work, distractions in the dark can lead to accidents more frequently than during ideal working conditions.
Constant Communication
The best thing that any employer can do when employees are working in dark conditions is to maintain constant communication with them. This is another reason why it’s best for employees to work in pairs. If anything goes wrong, it’s important that help arrive as soon as possible. With more things that can go wrong in the dark, it’s critical to check in with employees regularly.
Use the Best Safety Management Software
Whether you have employees who work in the dark or not, it’s always good to have a safety management system in place. EHS Insight has the perfect software to help any company keep workplace safety more organized and better organized. It’s proven to help companies to reduce workplace injuries and accidents.
If your company could use a little help with occupational safety, let’s have a conversation about how our software can help.
