Despite the unpredictable and harsh winter weather conditions, the construction industry soldiers on. This is a difficult and dangerous time for the industry as the work takes place outdoors.
With conditions being colder, wetter, and more slippery, construction teams need to take precautions and work to prepare as best they can. Failure to do so could lead to workers sustaining severe injuries which could lead to delays in the project.
So, as the winter season approaches, let’s take a look at 5 job site safety tips to keep your team safe.
5 Safety Tips For Construction Teams This Winter
As the days get colder, be sure to start implementing safety protocols on your construction site.
Inspect And Clear Job Sites
Every morning before the work day starts and at the end of the work day, workers should carry out inspections at the job site.
This is to ensure that working conditions are safe throughout the day. Winter weather conditions are often unpredictable and sudden heavy snow or rainfall may need attention.
To start, workers should clear all snow and ice that blocks walkways and working areas. Pay special attention to the roof of a building, ladders, and the walkways on scaffolding. These are areas with a lot of foot traffic and need to be unobstructed.
If it’s not possible to clear all the snow, be sure to put down salt or sand to help melt the ice. This also adds more traction to the surface area preventing slips and falls.
It is also important that before starting construction for the day, all ice formed on buildings are broken off and cleared to prevent objects from falling and injuring workers.
Provide A Warm Spot For Break Time
Workers will need protection from the elements when taking a time out or a lunch break. So, it’s important to provide a warm space for them. Whether it be a heated trailer or a tent, workers need a space to warm up, drink hot liquids, and change out of wet clothing.
Break rooms are also especially important in winter as workers use more energy when working in the cold. This is because the energy exerted is far higher in order to keep their bodies warm, so they may need to take frequent breaks.
The break room also provides the perfect opportunity for a foreman to check the workers for signs of fatigue, frostbite, or hypothermia.
Have Emergency Kits At The Ready
Unpredictable winter weather conditions mean that accidents are common occurrences on and off job sites. So, it’s important to always have emergency kits and first aid materials ready for any mishaps.
All vehicles and job sites should have emergency kits consisting of the following:
- A shovel
- An ice scraper
- Water and non-perishable food items
- Emergency flares
- A sleeping bag
- Power bank for charging cell phones
- Salt or sand to add traction should a vehicle get stuck
First aid kits should also be available in all vehicles and on construction jobs. Should any serious injury occur, always take the worker to the nearest hospital but first aid kits are great for stabilizing a severely injured worker or for minor injuries.
Wear Cold Weather Construction Gear
All workers need to have the correct cold-weather construction gear. The right gear will protect workers from frostbite and slip and fall injuries.
The following are examples of the necessary cold-weather gear to provide workers with:
- Hard hat with liners to protect from hail, slip and fail head injuries, and falling icicles.
- Gloves to keep hands warm and steady when working with equipment and to prevent frostbite.
- Bomber jacket to keep workers warm.
- A waterproof jacket to protect workers from snow and rain.
- Waterproof boots.
In freezing temperature, workers should also ensure that they wear at least three layers to prevent hypothermia. Avoid cotton material as it pulls heat from the body when wet.
Warm Up Equipment
Make sure to warm up any heavy-duty construction equipment before use. This is important to prevent irreparable damage to the equipment. Often wires become brittle when cold and can easily break if not properly warmed up.
It’s also essential that all fluids and oils used to run the machines are rated for the temperatures in the area. All machines and windshields must be clear of ice before use and the heaters in cabs should be operational.
Lastly, ensure that you put antifreeze in all your pneumatic tools and air hoses to prevent breakage from extreme temperatures.
Conclusion
Workers always need to take precautions when embarking on a construction project. But, the winter months definitely call for some extra safety protocols. The extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions mean that workers are at risk of serious injuries.
So, to keep all safe on site and prevent delays, be sure to choose a Skagit County general contractor that practices these important safety tips.