Published: 23 Oct 2024
While some of us might still be holding out for an Indian summer, by now, most of us have accepted this year’s descent into autumn, with wet weather and shorter days. With the clocks going back on 27 October, shorter days and darker evenings are quickly becoming something that needs to be factored into your work planning for safe working practices. Although it happens around the same time every year, the onset of autumn often catches many of us out and it is important to plan your working days – and time on site – accordingly.
Data gathering and data processing
Think about your workload and how much onsite information gathering you need to carry out, compared with the processing that is required afterwards. With careful planning, you can make sure that you are office-based for the processing at times when it is already dark outside, or the weather has taken a turn for the worse.
Caution, slippery when wet
It’s not only the limited daylight hours you need to be aware of during the autumn and winter months. The wet or cold weather can also make site visits hazardous, and you need to take the ground conditions into consideration too for safe working. Particularly wet or cold and frosty weather can all impact the safety of the site; from challenges caused by flooding to the ground being particularly slippery due to frozen temperatures or excess water.
Going it alone: safe working
Land surveyors can often find themselves lone working onsite. While this is fine, sensible precautions need to be taken. Check your lone working policy and make sure you follow the process that has been agreed. This might include calling the office at the start and end of your survey or checking in via some kind of buddy system. Whatever the protocol is, make sure that you follow it. Lone working has associated risks, and these only increase during the autumn and winter months.
Staying alert for staying safe working
Another thing to be aware of is equipment theft, which TSA takes very seriously and has invested in a partnership with DeterTech to combat on behalf of the whole profession Although there is a risk of this at any time of the year, with the nights drawing in, opportunistic thieves can take advantage of this and target unattended vans in the gathering gloom. Never leave your vehicle unlocked, even when close by, as locking it up is the act of a moment, but leaving it unlocked could end up being a very costly mistake. TSA also provides regular Health & Safety updates via MD Safety Management, who are our H&S consultants.
Don’t get left out in the cold this autumn and winter, think about your work scheduling, ground conditions, health and safety and equipment security.
