Summer Safety Risks & Tips for Businesses

Summer: the time for beaches, barbecues, and blasting the air conditioner after the weather app tells you that it’s going to 110° F outside. But as we all know, summer isn’t all fun in the sun. Excessive heat, natural disasters, and other major safety concerns unique to this season often rear their ugly heads on our job sites. Learn how to keep employees and property safe from summer safety risks. If you have any questions, contact our office at 413.475.7283 or Complete our online quote form today!

Say Hello to Hurricane Season

Despite the official ‘hurricane season’ lasting from now until November, hurricanes can strike at any time. Therefore, all employers in high-risk areas for hurricanes should have a comprehensive evacuation plan at the ready at all times.

Track the Heat

Anyone who has worked outside in the middle of the day during the hottest months of the year will tell you that heat-related exhaustion and illness are critical concerns. OSHA also recognizes the severity of the threat and has developed hazard mitigation requirements related to working in intense heat. First thing’s first: you must be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The latter being a serious medical emergency.

Make Sure Young Workers are Properly Trained

School’s out, which means that a lot of workers under the age of 24 are looking for summer jobs. The young set makes up roughly 12% of the total workforce but accounts for a larger percentage of total workplace injuries. For example, workers between the ages of 15 and 19 are 1.25 times more likely to end up being treated in emergency departments than their counterparts over the age of 25.

Summer Restaurant Industry Risks

Summer normally is the busiest time of year for restaurants, making it necessary for owners and managers to hire temporary staff to compensate for the additional business. June, July and August historically have the highest reported restaurant workers’ compensation accidents. Inexperienced and/or newly hired seasonal workers are more likely to be injured than those who have been on the job for a while due to less experience, inconsistent training, physical and mental attributes, and lack of knowledge regarding federal and state laws.

At Encharter Insurance, we are here to help you with a business insurance quote or any claim. Call us at 413.475.7283 or visit our website at encharter.com to discuss your business insurance and deductible needs. We can provide coverage from many insurance carriers so you receive the insurance for your budget and needs!