Just as during the summer season shelters can be used to house stock and equipment and protect workers from the elements, container shelter is also essential for health and safety reasons and for the protection of assets in the cooler months.
As well as providing a warmer, naturally lit and more comfortable environment to work in, shelters provide protection from rain, wind, lightning, hail and other adverse elements including snow, if the project is situated in an Alpine region. And surprisingly, workers may also need protection from sun exposure during the winter, particularly if the UV index is at three or above, or if there are a lot of reflective surfaces – such as rock, sand, water or snow – in the work area.
Safety, comfort and productivity
Employers have a responsibility to provide safe and comfortable working environments for workers. The WorkSafe Code of Practice for managing work environments and facilities stipulates that outdoor workers should be provided with access to shelter for meals and breaks, and for protection from adverse weather. The code defines a shelter as being a shed, tent or canopy.
Good dome shelter solutions are more than just a safety and comfort issue though – they help to reduce downtime and ensure continual productivity, even during adverse conditions, and of course help to protect equipment and vehicles from deterioration. These outcomes can help the business to save on costs while preserving its revenue and protecting precious assets all at the same time.
Suggested shelter solutions
- Towable shelters – these ‘shelters on wheels’ enable you to move the shelter to your equipment rather than the other way around, such as when the rain sets in. This could save you time and money on moving equipment and on crane costs for shifting heavy-duty machinery.
- Walkway shelters – these can be used between buildings or containers, and can provide sheltered areas for people to use while moving from one area to another on the site.
- Container shelters – great for protection of stock and equipment, and / or providing shelter while undertaking maintenance tasks and so on.
- Post-mounted shelters – good for overhanging or attaching to existing buildings to provide extra weather protection for personnel.
Solutions for weatherproofing shelters
Weatherproofing involves using various solutions to make your shelters more resistant to the entry of dirt, wind, rain, hail or other elements. Examples include endwalls and doorways.
Full endwalls attach to one end of the shelter, or partial endwalls which are self-supporting structures, are placed in the end archway of the shelter. Some endwalls also come with a doorway entrance. At Allshelter, our doors come in a range of styles including barn, bi-fold and sliding curtain.
Advantages of curved fabric shelters
The curved or arched shape of our shelters helps to provide extra strength and resistance to external pressures such as strong winds and storms. Both the covers and frames of Allshelter shelters are designed for protection from extreme winds, with all shelters being wind-rated from 147 to 288 km/h.
Fabric shelters also provide natural light, which is better for working in. The curved shape allows for light to disperse more readily, avoiding dark corners and shadows.
These factors mean that employees can work undercover during the winter while being provided with warmth and plenty of natural lighting, as well as protection from rain and hail.
Allshelter’s shelter systems are all fully engineered and compliant with Australian Standard 1170, which covers terrain categories, wind-ratings, snow loads and occupation factors. You can find out more about our all-weather shelters by contacting us at Allshelter Weather Protection Systems.
