A recent study found over 40,000 workers were injured in a single year due to ice, sleet, or snow. Snow-related work injuries are even more common in positions where the employee has to spend most of their time outside. Such circumstances put construction workers at an even higher risk.
Thankfully, business owners and managers can do plenty of things to help mitigate this risk. Following these tips for keeping your construction site safe this winter is the first step.
Monitor Forecast
Naturally, not every winter day has the same level of risk for a site. However, keeping an eye on the forecast will help you be prepared for high-risk days before they happen. For instance, if you know that a day will be particularly cold, you can stock up on cold-weather essentials or call work off.
In the case of extreme weather, such as a blizzard or intense cold snap, it’s even more important to keep an eye on the forecast. In these scenarios, you will also need to keep an eye on warnings from local authorities.
Create a Plan for Snow and Ice Removal
When workers and heavy equipment move through an area, keeping the area free of snow and ice is essential. If not, your site will be at a standstill at best and become an accident waiting to happen at worst.
Here are a few principles to keep in mind when clearing snow from your job site:
- Have a plan in place for what weather will lead to snow removal (for instance, if there is a certain amount of snow.)
- Identify which areas require snow removal.
- Remind workers who are shoveling of proper lifting techniques.
- Avoid assigning shoveling to employees with heart or breathing problems.
- Monitor areas that may collapse beneath the weight of too much snow.
- Ensure pavement is properly salted.
Also, if you’re using construction equipment for snow removal, provide additional training for operators assigned to this task.
Cold-Weather Equipment Issues
Cold weather can cause construction equipment to act sluggishly, which can be frustrating to operators and managers. However, some of these equipment issues can also prove dangerous. This is especially true when you consider how the cold may impact the rubber of your machines.
Rubber tubing may become cracked in extreme cold. In some cases, this may cause hydraulic fluid to spill out, potentially raising the risk for hydraulic fluid injection. Avoid this by performing daily inspections of all equipment.
Provide Resources To Keep Employees Warm
One of the most important aspects of keeping your construction site safe this winter is making sure your employees are safe from hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-weather health conditions. A few ways you can help protect your worksite as a business owner include the following:
- Providing warming shelters
- Giving out hand warmers
- Educating workers on proper layering techniques
- Having extra winter clothing on site
It’s also essential that your workers know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite, so they know when they need to get out of the cold to warm up.
