Reasons Why Visitors To A Workplace Might Be At Greater Risk Of Injury Than Workers
Reasons include:
Their unfamiliarity with the processes carried out at the workplace, the hazards they present and their associated risks and the fact that they had not been issued with any personal protective equipment;
Their lack of knowledge of the site layout and the fact that pedestrian routes might be inadequate and unsigned;
Their unfamiliarity with the emergency procedures;
Their vulnerability particularly if they were disabled, very young or had language problems; and
Their numbers particularly in large shopping centers or at sports events.
Precautions to reduce the risk of injury to visitors include:
Visitor identification, for example, by the issue of badges with a routine for signing in and out;
Prior notification to those members of staff to be involved in the visit;
The provision of information to the visitors in suitable languages on hazards and emergency procedures;
An explanation of specific site rules, for example, restricted areas and the wearing of personal protective equipment;
The clear marking of pedestrian routes; and
The need for visitors to be escorted by a member of management or supervisory staff.
