WINTER IS COMING: PREPARING YOUR JOB SITE

While the rest of the world gets worked up in a holiday frenzy, construction companies in the northern hemisphere are busily preparing for the winter job site. Winter poses a different set of challenges for construction companies. Whether it be timeline and scheduling issues that delay a foundation pour or freezing temperatures that put your employees' safety at risk, it's important that your company prepares the job site to meet the unpredictable challenges of the cold season.

IS YOUR JOB SITE PREPARED FOR FATHER WINTER? THESE 10 TIPS WILL HELP.
Winter is notorious for being windy and cold, two conditions that increase the number of job site hazards. The following tips can help you prepare your job site for a safe and productive winter.

Do Daily Safety Checks. While a quick walkabout is a good idea everyday, to ensure OSHA safety regulations are being observed and note any items that need to be corrected, removed, or amended, pay extra careful attention during the winter months. Are there any areas with black ice or frosty ground? Mark them with hazard cones. Does a particular area need de-icing? Get a couple of your guys on it sooner rather than later. Is current lighting adequate? Earlier sunsets and cloudy mornings may mean setting up additional lighting for walkways, drives and work areas.
Look up as Well as Down. Icicles are more dangerous than people think, especially when temperatures warm up and ice begins to thaw. Knock down any icicles you can reach. If you aren't able to reach them safely, rope or tape the area off until they have fallen on their own or are sufficiently melted.
Pay Extra Attention to Scaffolding, Elevated Ramps and Ladders. Slip and fall accidents aren't limited to icy walkways. Carefully inspect scaffolding, elevated ramps or walkways and ladders for moisture, snow and ice. Make sure your scaffolding hasn't shifted due to snow weight and/or high wind conditions.
Provide Shelter. In the summertime, employees need shelter from the sun. In the winter months, they need a covered space to get in out of the rain and/or to get a break from the wind. If your building or project hasn't been closed in yet, provide some sort of covered shelter and windbreak that has ample room to provide respite for your crew.
Winter Safety Meetings. Hopefully, your superintendents, foremen or leads conduct weekly safety meetings. Now that winter has set in, use at least one or two to discuss the importance of proper winter safety gear. This begins with garments that can be layered, added, and subtracted to meet the temperature variations that occur from the beginning of their shifts to the end. Waterproof and windproof exterior wear is important, as are hats, dry warm socks and adequate boots.
Understand the Signs of Frost Bite and Hypothermia. Hopefully, your managers and lead construction crew members are certified in first aid and CPR. Even so, seasonally-related refreshers are always a good idea. Make sure your employees understand the signs of frost bite, hypothermia, trench foot and other cold stress conditions so swift action is taken. Always err on the side of caution and never take an employees' word for it; if they say they're fine but you're seeing red flags, honor the red flags.
Provide Heaters and Use Them Safely. If cold temperatures are the winter norm, or if a record storm is predicted, your company should have ample heaters on hand. The first step is to ensure employees have an area where they can get warm and you should schedule regular warm-up and hydration breaks. The second step is to operate the heaters safely. Propane heaters should only be used in well-ventilated areas on fire-resistant surfaces. Combustible materials should be placed well away from the heaters - observe at least 10 to 12 feet of clear space.
Hydration. It may seem counterintuitive but workers are just as susceptible to dehydration in the winter months as they are during the summer. Laborers, especially those in layered clothing, will sweat even in cold temperatures. Climatic conditions are typically more dry during a cold spell and wind is also a dehydrating factor. Provide water in your warm-up stations and encourage your employees to drink at least a cup or two during their breaks.
Be Diligent about Fall Arrest Systems and Edge Protection. Slippery and/or windy conditions put elevated workers at risk. Be diligent about the use of fall arrest systems as well as edge protection to keep your workers injury-free.
Check Weather Conditions Daily. The best way to be prepared is to check weather conditions daily and always tune into the forecast for the next several days so you can stay ahead of the game.


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