Winter Safety Tips for Field Technicians – In much of the country, we are getting our first taste of winter weather. The snow, sleet, and bitter wind chills that come with the season are a minor inconvenience for most of us. But for field technicians who spend much of their time out of the office and are exposed to the elements, the challenges of winter can affect everything from drive times to performance. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prepare your team and make the winter work environment a safe place for everyone. From dressing for the weather to mapping routes for road conditions, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Winter Safety Tips for Field Technicians Keep Your Team Safe
Identify Threats in Advance
Being proactive is one of the simplest ways to keep your team safe from winter weather threats. Before putting your workers on the road, monitor weather and travel conditions, including severe weather warnings and advisories, and let them know the current and forecasted weather conditions. The National Weather Service offers many resources, including detailed forecasts, radar, and active alerts across the country. It’s also essential to have a mass notification system that can alert staff and customers with weather delays, cancellations, and need-to-know information in real-time.
Map Routes
Planning schedules and routes is no easy task, even in ideal weather conditions. When snow and ice come into the equation, the challenges multiply. An interactive scheduling tool allows dispatchers and managers to prioritize efficient routes, incorporate weather updates, and limit drive time as much as possible. “In hazardous winter climates, it’s essential to keep your business running and your team on the road. DICE Office offers several solutions to keep your team prepared,” says the New DICE Corporation co-president Avi Lupo. “Whether it’s Matrix Service’s cloud-based Rapid Scheduler tools for routing or our Hands-On Manager ticketing system, your team will be equipped with resources they can rely on for safety and performance in the most challenging circumstances.”
Drive Safely
Prioritizing safe winter driving is one of the most significant factors in keeping your team safe when they’re on the road. Even if it seems redundant, go over safe driving habits such as keeping enough distance between vehicles, lowering speeds for road conditions, removing snow and ice buildup on vehicles, maintaining adequate fuel levels, and checking tires, headlights, and windshield wipers before each shift. It’s also a good idea to equip every driver with a safety kit that includes first aid supplies, jumper cables, snowmelt, flashlights, emergency flares, and a blanket.
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Dress for the Weather
If workers are required to spend considerable time outside in colder climates, it is essential to dress for the weather conditions. Wearing multiple layers that can be easily added or removed is one of the best strategies to stay protected as temperatures fluctuate throughout the workday. It’s also a good idea to invest in quality work boots designed for warmth and traction, gloves to prevent injury from frostbite, and a hat designed for cold temperatures to aid in preserving body heat. Consider updating your company’s dress code with tips to keep your team safe while protecting the professional nature of your organization in all seasons.
Arm Techs with Safety Devices
From car accidents to slips and falls, winter safety incidents are bound to happen even with the best training or planning. Arm your team with lone worker PERS devices designed to communicate with supervisors and monitoring centers 24/7. These devices will keep your workers safe under dangerous conditions where they may be isolated or away from a vehicle or smartphone. The devices can also provide an exact location so that first responders can locate the worker without delay.
If you’re one of the thousands of Americans who travel or work outdoors for a living, it’s crucial to consider winter safety as you head out each day. The New DICE’s flexible, unified cloud-based solutions for field workers can help keep your team connected and prioritize safety through intuitive scheduling and routing tools, communications solutions, and more. Contact us today to learn how and schedule a virtual demo with a DICE representative.
Author: Avi Lupo, Co-President DICE Corporation
Copyright 2021