Business Services

Essential Components of a Good Man Camp

Man Camp Housing is a convenient option when you need remote workforce housing. Oil field workers often use These temporary camps at drilling and extraction sites.

Once a collection of bunk beds and group showers, today’s man camps have taken a big step forward. In fact, some companies have even incorporated modified shipping containers into their work camp accommodations.

When you need to house a crew of workers on a remote construction project, man camps are a cost-effective and convenient solution. These temporary accommodations, also known as field camps, provide a place for your crew to sleep and relax while they work on projects like oil pipeline construction or natural resource development. Depending on the size of your team, you can choose from man camp buildings that accommodate 20-50 people or more expansive full-service camps that can house thousands.

Man camp buildings are prefabricated units that can be assembled and disassembled quickly to fit your workforce and project needs. Whether you’re working in a rural or urban area, these modular constructions can be moved as necessary and are often more affordable than housing your team in hotels.

Most man camps offer a variety of amenities to make your crew feel at home away from home, with private bedrooms and dining areas. These accommodations can also feature recreational facilities for your crew to enjoy. This way, your crew will be able to relax and recharge after a long day on the job.

In addition to living quarters, man camp buildings can include office and kitchen spaces for your crew’s use. These spaces can help your employees stay organized and productive, which in turn leads to better quality of work. They can also serve as a hub for meetings and training sessions, giving you the flexibility to host various events at your man camp.

While the term “man camp” has a masculine connotation, these workforce accommodations can be used to house teams of both men and women. In fact, up to 20% of the lodgers at a man camp are women. Regardless of their gender, man camps are a great option for providing a comfortable living space for workers in remote locations, such as oil fields or construction sites.

To ensure the safety of your crew, you’ll need to establish certain policies for man camp operations. These policies should be consistent with your industry’s standards and regulations, but should also address specific concerns. For example, if your crew will be handling chemicals, you should make sure that you have secure entry points, only allow authorized personnel to enter, and keep maintenance logs for troubleshooting issues. In addition, you should establish a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, drugs, and firearms at your man camp. You should also require your staff to maintain ServSafe certifications.

Hygiene & Laundry

Man camps are temporary housing facilities that provide essential living and working spaces for companies with remote projects in sectors such as oil and gas, mining, infrastructure development and construction. The camps, also known as “man trailers,” are centralized communities that help manage large groups of transient workers efficiently and effectively.

With many employees on the road for extended periods, hygiene and cleanliness are key to a productive work environment. That’s why man camps offer a variety of hygiene and laundry services. Whether it’s attached bathrooms within living quarters or bunkhouse-style shower trailers, the facilities are designed to improve the quality of life for workers. They also include high-speed Internet to keep everyone connected, as well as space for socializing and relaxation.

Oil field workforce camps are an important solution to addressing the housing shortages in remote drilling areas. However, the influx of people to rural areas can strain interior roads, electricity and water providers, local law enforcement, fire personnel and emergency services. To reduce these issues, many municipalities have adopted ordinances that regulate man camp accommodations by requiring companies to pay fees per occupant and appear at public hearings before zoning commissions and county commissioners. These ordinances are designed to increase accountability for the promises made by oil company representatives.

Entertainment & Leisure

As the oil industry booms in the United States and Canada, companies have had to construct man camps in remote areas to house the influx of workers. These camps can offer everything from sleeping quarters to recreational facilities and can differ in the level of comfort they offer. While the amenities offered can help attract and keep workers, they can also create tensions between temporary workers and local communities. As a result, it is important that companies taking advantage of these oil and gas booms consider how they are managing the man camp phenomenon to avoid any issues that may arise in nearby communities.

For example, a recent report by the New York Times featured the story of Clay and Charlce, two young newlyweds who moved into a man camp in North Dakota for their jobs working on power lines. The couple had a 7 month old child and struggled to pay the bills. The man camp they were in seemed like an oasis compared to the double-wide trailer with 12 stinky cots they previously lived in. The man camp they live in now has a community center, gym and pool. It costs the couple $1600 a month including rent, food and utilities. They are both happy with the living arrangements but they wish there were more restaurants and a cleaner environment.

However, the man camps have their own set of problems when it comes to sanitation and community involvement. Often these camps are located in rural communities and the influx of people puts strains on interior roads, electricity and water providers, law enforcement and fire protection services, waste disposal and more. Many of these communities have also experienced issues with rodents and other pests that are not normally present in the area. These problems are being addressed by some state and city officials who are instituting requirements that include sewage treatment onsite, portable toilets and water testing for safety.

When it comes to man camp housing, a prefab modular design provides a cost-effective solution for companies in need of accommodations for their employees. The units are easy to transport and install, energy efficient, durable and comfortable. They can also be disassembled and reinstalled if necessary, making them an excellent option for companies looking to build temporary accommodations on an ongoing basis.

Flexibility

For many oilfield or construction projects, working in remote sites means staffing up a large crew and providing them with the necessary accommodations to complete their work. In these situations, man camps are often the answer for remote workforce housing. However, even the most well-planned man camp site may still face challenges as it gets up and running. To make sure your team has the best experience possible, consider these essential components that every man camp should include.

Ideally, all man camps should offer clean and comfortable living quarters. Fortunately, prefabricated modular man camp buildings can meet this need with ease. These structures can be configured as private or shared sleeping spaces equipped with bathrooms and kitchens. They can also be utilized as recreational areas and communal areas for socializing or completing work tasks. With these flexible options, you can build a custom camp layout that meets your needs.

A great feature of man camp housing is that it can be easily removed from a site when the project is finished, reducing cleanup and disposal costs. Furthermore, man camp houses can be re-used at another location as needed, saving money for your organization over time. Additionally, the building materials used for man camp houses are environmentally friendly and create minimal waste during construction.

When it comes to safety and security, you must ensure that your man camp adheres to strict workplace standards. To do this, you should implement a zero-tolerance policy that prohibits alcohol consumption, drugs, physical abuse, and more. Moreover, you should have plans in place for responding to emergencies and evacuating the man camp if required.

It is also important to ensure that your man camp has the proper hygiene facilities. This includes restrooms, shower trailers, and laundry units to keep your employees fresh and clean while at work. This way, they can focus on the job at hand and avoid missing deadlines or getting sick due to poor sanitation.

The best way to ensure that your man camp has the right amenities is to consult with a professional company like CHS. Our experts can work with you to design a comprehensive solution that will meet your needs and budget. From the layout of the units to the amenities included, our team can help you make your man camp feel like a home away from home.