Construction Safety Tips To Keep Your Workers Safe This Winter
Even though winter doesn’t officially start until December 21, depending on where you live in the country, you could be dealing with snow and ice on your jobsites much sooner. If your company doesn’t pause outdoor projects during the winter months, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your workers safe on your construction sites. Here are six winter safety tips to keep in mind as we head into the colder months.
6 Construction Safety Tips To Bring to the Jobsite This Winter
- Always provide site-specific safety training. Don’t assume your workers know how to avoid winter-related safety hazards and health issues like frostbite, hypothermia and trench foot. Before the snow starts to fall, hold trainings where you cover winter construction safety. During your training, serve hot cocoa and baked goods—your workers will thank you!
- Work later. If possible, schedule work in the afternoon when temps are at their highest. If the weather is extremely frigid, avoid scheduling jobs altogether. Taking a chance on your skilled tradespeople getting frostbite or some other health issue just isn’t worth it.
- Schedule breaks. You likely do this already, but it’s particularly important in the cold to schedule short breaks throughout the day, so your workers can warm up. This can be in a heated trailer or tent or some other area to get them out of cold, snowy conditions.
- Pair up workers. Remind your skilled tradespeople and laborers to buddy up on job sites. Not only can they help each other out with the work, pairing up allows them to keep a close eye out for issues like hypothermia and frostbite. Make sure they know the symptoms for these and other winter-related health hazards.
- Clear snow and ice. Whenever possible, keep walkways and other work surfaces free of snow and ice to help prevent trips and falls. In your winter construction safety training, demonstrate how to walk on snow and ice. Remember to remind them to slow down and take short steps.
- Avoid roof work. If at all possible, don’t schedule work on rooftops or other elevated surfaces after it snows. If that work is unavoidable, make sure your workers have fall protection equipment—and know how to use it. Again, don’t make assumptions. An extra safety note: Ladders should always be clear of ice and snow and positioned securely before use.
We’re here to help you with your workforce needs—now or during the winter months.
