Construction Safety Tips for Winter

Published by January 7, 2022 Category: Uncategorized

The construction industry comes with a number of safety hazards, and winter specifically brings its own unique challenges. In addition to the general safe work practices required by the industry, consider following the additional safety tips once the temperature starts to drop.

Training

All employees should be educated about monitoring the symptoms of cold stress, such as  hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot. Employees and coworkers are also responsible for monitoring the physical condition of their coworkers. For instance, if you notice someone is 

  • Shivering
  • lacking coordination
  • slurring or mumbling

Contact emergency help immediately.

Safety Practices

Limit Exposure

When temperatures are extremely low, it is important to schedule frequent breaks or break larger projects into smaller tasks. A warm area should be provided for use during break periods. Additionally, you can schedule the bulk of outdoor work in the afternoon, during the warmest part of the day.

Dress Properly

Employers should require all workers to wear proper gear when on the job. OSHA recommends wearing at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing to prevent cold stress. Avoid tight clothing as it can reduce blood circulation to the extremities. In addition to layers, we recommend wearing:

  • Hard Hat with Liner
  • Insulated Gloves
  • Knit Mask
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Boots

Clear Snow and Ice

Each day before work is started, ensure that all snow and ice is removed from the site. A supervisor should inspect and approve the site before work is resumed. More tips to prevent slips on snow and ice include

  • Wearing footwear with good traction
  • Take short steps
  • Walk at a slow pace
  • Use salt or sand to melt ice

Need help assessing risk on a job site? Our experts will visit your sites and make sure that all of your risks are properly cataloged and taken care of. It is our job to get right into the middle of your jobs with you and make sure that you are covered for every possible contingency. Contact us for a quote today.