Safety in the Field: How HVAC Teams Can Reduce Risk on the Job

HVAC job site risks are numerous and can differ significantly from one rooftop to another basement. No matter where your team works, it is critical to ensure they have the right tools and resources to avoid such risks. 

Just take a look at some of the most common HVAC job site risks your team could face in a single day:

• Physical injuries from confined spaces or awkward positions
• Ladder and roof work accidents
• Electrical hazards and equipment malfunctions
• Heat stress and poor ventilation
• Driving-related risks when traveling between job sites

HVAC technician injuries happen because there are limited protections in place that are versatile enough to deal with so many risks. Overcoming these safety challenges in HVAC is necessary. So, how can you do it?

5 Practical Ways HVAC Teams Can Reduce Risk

Consider the following strategies to reduce HVAC workplace accidents. Implementing each of these saves you time and money.

1. Safety Training Implementation

Keep your team trained to keep safety top of mind. Use a mobile-friendly LMS platform as a training tool for techs. It can teach just about everything, including:

• Lockout and tagout process
• Ladder safety
• PPE use 

Target what you teach based on the risks in your environment. Just having routine training keeps safety a priority within your company. The easiest route is to use Safety Plus safety services and training programs. Also, explore Safety Training with Safety Plus.

2. Use Field-Ready Hazard Reporting

Give teams a way to communicate risks early on. That’s going to protect other members. Real-time incident management like this isn’t an option but a necessity.

Incorporate near-miss reporting as well. Those near misses are informational resources each member of your team needs to avoid future risks. Ensure field-ready hazard reporting is done on mobile devices for efficiency.

3. Equipment Safety Inspections

HVAC safety relies on equipment that’s working properly. If you haven’t done so yet, create:

• Tool checklists that provide insight into proper use
• Electrical component inspections help reduce risk
• Fleet vehicle maintenance and inspection prior to each use is essential

To make this more efficient, use the customizable Safety Plus Inspection checklists. These tools empower your employees to capture usable safety information in the field and allow your team to create a safety audit on the go using a tablet or mobile phone. 

4. Establish Safety Protocols for Confined Spaces 

Confined spaces and heat exposure are additional risk factors common to HVAC job site risks. Start by refreshing your knowledge on OSHA regulations for confined spaces. Then, create HVAC-specific protocols for teams to use. 

As a common concern for field safety for HVAC teams, prioritize this process. Safety Plus Policy Management Support enables your organization to monitor these protocols over time. You can use HSE Policy Writing from Safety Plus to help you create a way to be safe, specifically for the type of HVAC work your team does. 

5. Consider Outsourced Safety Program Management

Growing HVAC companies benefit from a dedicated safety lead. This ensures compliance is met across the entire company. It also improves consistency. Unfortunately, not all companies have their own full time safety manager. Safety Plus Outsourced Safety Program services provide you with what you need at a fraction of the cost. You can find a qualified safety professional for virtually any project. 

Business Benefits of a Safer HVAC Operation

Why make the move? Consider the business case for investing in HVAC safety improvement. 

• Reduce EMR and insurance premiums, saving your business money
• Eliminate or reduce OSHA violations, saving you money and keeping employees safe
• Stronger client trust and reputation – and that means they recommend your services to others 
• Better efficiency on the job with fewer accidents and fewer job delays

Safety Plus clients average an EMR of 0.81 and save up to $156,000 per violation avoided. That’s real data that you can use to make the case for investing in Safety Plus solutions.

Safer field operations in HVAC save lives, reduce operational costs, and allow your company to grow. We can help you.

Our HVAC safety solutions at Safety Plus make creating and managing a safety program that achieves your goals possible. Contact us to learn more about our HVAC safety services.