Environmental Hazards

In addition to the large number of man-made hazards that we’ve just looked at, there are also a handful of environmental hazards that are caused by the natural weather patterns and elements around us. Here is a look at some of these environmental factors and how we can stay safe in these conditions. 

Ice

As temperatures drop in the wintertime, ice and snow become a potential hazard as we continue our work on site. When mornings become frosty and ice begins to appear on car windscreens, so does it begin to appear on scaffold boards and flat roof coverings. This creates extremely slippery surfaces, which combined with the height factor, makes for a very dangerous scenario. To all degrees, slippery surfaces like this should be either thawed out with heat before continuing or not worked on at all.  

Wind

Wind is an element that can cause issues during bouts of bad weather regardless of the season, though stronger gales generally tend to appear in the colder, wetter months. It's not uncommon for winds at speeds of up to 80 mph to appear during storms in the UK, with lower wind speeds occurring more frequently within the general scope of bad weather that we receive. With these forceful winds sweeping across our nation year in, year out, it’s important that we consider the safety of ourselves and those around us. It’s to no surprise that the buildings that stand tall around us, as well as the ones that are under construction, take the brunt of these natural forces. It’s therefore imperative that these buildings are sturdy enough to withstand this element, in the interest of everyone's safety. In the same stroke, it’s important that we are all able to stay safe whilst working in high winds, or when leaving construction works unattended during strong winds.  

When working outside during high winds, simple tasks become more dangerous. Transporting materials can become hazardous, with large sheet materials acting as a sail, catching the wind and pushing operatives over. Working at height during strong winds can be dangerous due to the hazardous conditions, disrupting the typical work practices in a negative effect. Large components such as tarpaulins are a pain to work with during strong winds and are at risk of being whisked away into the air. 

Another consideration to mention here that isn't necessarily related to safety, is that strong winds are often accompanied by heavy rain. During these storms, the blustering wind can blow rain almost horizontally, driving it towards external components that wouldn't typically get wet.  

Aside from the physical force exerted by the wind blowing into people or buildings, there is another component at play in the technical construction of properties. In accordance with Bernoulli's principle of fluid dynamics, strong winds that pass over or around components create pockets of high and lower pressure, a universal law of physics that generates the lift required for aircraft to fly. In the context of aeroplanes, this concept works very well, as the upwards thrust generated as air passes over the wings helps to lift the craft into the sky. As this concept shifts to include more static constructs, we can see an issue arise. Looking at the diagrams, we can see the same upwards lift generated around the edges of a flat roof, and the brick gable of a house. These large areas are prone to being lifted off or pulled off respectively, if not correctly anchored to the rest of the structure. As such, appropriate restraint straps must be installed during the construction process to prevent components like this from being moved by the wind, and the resulting harm that could occur.  

Rain

According to “statista.com”, the UK observes an average of 133 rainy days a year, which will come as no surprise to anyone who resides here. Rain poses a hazard in many other forms within our lives, from dangerous driving conditions to flood risks, and as such it is as much a hazard within the construction industry. Heavy rains can cause flooding on new buildings, water can create slick, slippery surfaces, and some materials can become dangerous and unfit for purpose if exposed for long periods of time to rainwater. Rain/water also increases the risk of injury from electrocution related to power tools/power getting wet whilst working in the rain. 

Sun

Despite our fairly wet climate, throughout the summer months the UK does get its fair share of sunshine. A warm respite from the dreary winter weather is much welcomed by most, and it can be a pleasure to work in such temperate weather when the clouds disperse. However, prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun can cause heatstroke, increased risks of developing skin cancer, as well as other skin conditions. When working in the sun, high SPF sunscreen should be worn, as well as protective headwear to shield our face and neck from the harmful UV rays. If possible, care should be taken to avoid working in direct sunlight at all. Severe cases of sunburn can cause 3rd degree burns on the afflicted areas.