If you are a team leader overseeing a project, you need to ensure that your team's working conditions are ideal. The better their working conditions, the more productive they will be and the faster the project will be completed. However, achieving ideal working conditions is not easy, as you probably already know. There are a lot of different things you need to think about, from lighting to proper ventilation.
This post will explore this topic in more detail, explaining how you can improve (and then maintain) your team's working conditions.
Temperature control
If your team works with liquids such as tar, grease or even resin, these liquids need to be stored in standardized metal containers, called drums. However, winter is coming quickly and temperatures are dropping. If these liquids freeze, it can be very problematic for your team. A drum heater is a solution to this problem. It is important to note that not all drum heaters are designed to prevent freezing, some are just used to lower the viscosity of a liquid so that it is more easily poured and mixed. According to distributors, drum heaters can also heat gear oil, biofuel, biodiesel and DEF, as well as melt solids like wax. Moving away from keeping liquids and oils warm for your staff, if they are working outdoors, make sure they have access to heavy coats, gloves and appropriate winter work clothing.
Adequate lighting
Lighting is essential. It is common in workplaces for employees to arrive and start early in the morning. Some employees also stay late into the night. The days are getting much shorter, which means it gets dark earlier. If you don't ensure your location is properly lit, staff will not be able to work safely. When working with tools and chemicals, they need to be able to see what they are doing. You can buy standalone spotlights for your site. Make sure you buy as many as you need to illuminate your entire workplace.
Ventilation in the workplace
If staff are working indoors with chemicals, adequate ventilation in the workplace will be required. Lack of ventilation can lead to staff inhaling fumes. Inhaling vapors can pose a health risk. Natural ventilation involves using doors and windows to supply air. However, when your team works with chemicals, they need mechanical ventilation, which is when fans are used to move air into (and out of) a room. Mechanical ventilators can be expensive, but they are a necessary investment as they will protect your staff and prevent them from inhaling large amounts of harmful gases.
Rain protection
If your team works outdoors, you need to protect them from the rain. Storms are becoming much more common due to climate change. Heavy rain can delay the completion of your project. Forcing employees to work in the rain can put them at risk, as their visibility will be poor and they could injure themselves with the tools they use. Also, if you are pouring liquids or chemicals and it starts to rain, they may not harden. Invest in large covers for your location to protect employees and any spilled liquids.
Safety Regulations
Each and every workplace needs to comply with industry safety regulations. Failure to comply with regulations may lead to the closure of your website. Additionally, fines and penalties may be issued. The safety regulations you must follow depend on your industry. The best way to find out what they are is to contact a representative from your industry's law enforcement agency and ask. Alternatively, you can consult a business lawyer who specializes in this area. Adhering to safety regulations keeps your team and your project safe. You should also know that if staff are injured due to your non-compliance, they may take legal action against you.
Quality equipment
Make sure your team has access to quality work equipment. Unfortunately, it's all too common for team leaders to restrict their teams' access to high-quality equipment in order to save money. However, the better your team's work equipment, the faster they will be able to carry out the work and the more effectively it will be carried out. You can get discounts when you buy work equipment in bulk. Alternatively, you can buy it second-hand as long as it is still in working condition and has a dealer warranty.
If you want to maintain ideal working conditions for your project, then you need to consider all the points described here. Failure to do so could result in your team having to complete tasks in less than ideal conditions, which could, in turn, negatively impact the quality of the work performed.
