Construction doesn't stop when winter arrives, so it's important to know what steps to take to keep your workers warm and safe. Before the next major winter storm hits your area with snow and ice buildup, be prepared and read these winter weather safety tips to keep your workers safe.
Inspect and clean work areas
When winter weather sets in, you need to inspect your construction sites for downed power lines and trees before allowing workers to get to work. Remove all snow and ice from walking and work surfaces, including walkways, roofs, scaffolding and stairs. Be sure to emphasize the importance of protecting workers from falls in icy conditions.
Sprinkle salt or sand to melt icy areas and improve traction for workers. Ensure icy areas that cannot be cleared are clearly marked and instruct workers to slow down and take shorter steps, especially when carrying materials and tools, to avoid slipping.
Knock down any icicles that form or cordon off areas to prevent workers from accidentally breaking them and creating a falling object hazard.
Watch the weather
The last thing you want is for a construction site full of workers to get stuck because a blizzard has hit without your knowledge. Give your workers enough time to secure the construction site and return home safely before the harsh weather hits.
When temperatures drop, keep a close eye on workers for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Make sure workers are dressed appropriately for the weather and encourage them to take frequent breaks to warm up from the cold.
Provide a heated seating area
Workers expend more energy when working in cold weather to keep warm. Make sure you have a heated trailer, tent or covered area so workers can warm up from the cold. Limit exposure to the elements by encouraging workers to take frequent breaks to rest and warm, drink warm liquids, and change wet clothes.
This is a good time to check workers for signs of fatigue, frostbite, or hypothermia. Remind workers to limit their intake of caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants, as these increase their heart rate, making them feel warmer than they actually are.
If you use portable heaters in recreation areas, be sure to ventilate the area and use CO sensors to monitor carbon monoxide exposure.
Provide appropriate personal protective equipment
Be sure to take additional measures to ensure that workers wear all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) in winter weather conditions.
Helmets must be worn at all times to protect against falling objects such as icicles, slips and falls on ice. Wearing helmet liners will help keep workers warm and prevent heat from escaping.
Gloves and mittens should be chosen so that workers with sufficient manual dexterity can work with tools and materials. Remind workers to wear gloves at all times, especially when climbing ladders, scaffolding, or landing on construction equipment. Frostbite can occur immediately if workers touch very cold metal with their bare hands.
Workers should wear waterproof boots with non-slip soles and extra socks to protect them from the cold if they wear steel-toed boots, as the metal acts as a cold absorber.
Safety goggles, goggles and face masks can be treated with an anti-fog spray so that they do not interfere with vision.
Make sure personal harnesses are adjusted to fit over bulky clothing and check them before each use to make sure the straps are not frozen by ice.
Warm-up equipment and tools
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper warm-up of heavy equipment before use. Electrical wires and hoses can become brittle at low temperatures, so it is important that they are properly heated to prevent damage to equipment.
Make sure the fluids in your equipment, such as engine and hydraulic oils, are rated for the temperature in your area and change if necessary. Make sure cab heaters are working properly and clear windshields and steps of ice or snow. Try to avoid using any equipment that is not equipped with an enclosed cab to keep your workers warm.
You must also take extra precautions when working with air compressors and pneumatic tools. Drain air compressor tanks after each use to prevent accumulated moisture from freezing and damaging the tank. Pour tool oil into your air tools and air hoses with antifreeze to protect them from the cold. Fire empty nail guns at 40 psi at freezing temperature to warm them up before use.
layer on clothes
Keeping warm is one of the most important things when working in cold weather. The key is to find a balance between wearing enough layers to stay warm while maintaining a good range of motion to get the job done.
Wear clothing with some moisture-wicking thermal underwear on the inside layer and wear a waterproof outer layer to prevent moisture from wicking into your clothing. If your clothes get wet, it's important to change into dry clothes so you don't lose body heat.
Limit the amount of skin exposed to cold temperatures, with particular attention to the extremities, by wearing knitted hats and earmuffs on the head, woolen socks on the feet, balaclavas on the face, and gloves and mittens on the hands.
For more construction site warming tips, be sure to check out our 10 Construction Site Warming Tips .
Place emergency kits in working vehicles
Make sure every one of your company's fleet of work trucks and vehicles is equipped with winter weather emergency kits. Your kits should include a shovel, ice scraper and brush, sleeping bag, water, non-perishable snacks like protein bars, tow straps, emergency flares, and a backup battery for your mobile phone. It's also a good idea to have some cat litter, salt or sand to ease the grip in case you get stuck. Encourage your employees to create emergency kits for their personal vehicles.
Be careful when driving on snow and ice. Give yourself enough time to get to your destination and leave enough space between yourself and other vehicles to avoid accidents.
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