In Indiana, every season comes with unique challenges for the construction industry — sometimes even a single day can feel like multiple seasons. As cold weather creeps in during the winter, take the time to remind your crew how to keep themselves safe on the job site.
DISCUSS FALL SAFETY
Falling at a construction site can lead to very serious injuries or be fatal. It’s important to review fall safety often, but especially as the weather heightens risks — surfaces may be wet, slippery, or icy in the winter. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends preventing falls by guarding holes with a railing or floor hole cover, providing guardrails and toe-boards, and providing equipment like safety harnesses when needed.
CLEAR ICE AND SNOW
Clearing ice and snow from the job site is something that needs to be done often in the winter. To keep your crew safe, don’t just focus on removing snow and ice from walkways, but also from scaffolding and latters — anywhere your crew will be working. Snow can cover ice, and even when it doesn’t, ice can still be hard to detect, so make sure to be thorough.
TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS
As the temperature drops, encourage and enforce taking frequent breaks in warm areas. This will keep your crew safe, healthy, and productive. Having warm drinks can also help your crew warm up. Schedule work for the hottest times of the day, too, to minimize the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.
PACK EXTRA CLOTHES
Staying dry and warm in cold weather is extremely important for safety and comfort. Since winter weather is so unpredictable, train your crew to always keep extra clothes on hand. Sudden drops in temperature or a gust of rain make having extra thermal layers, socks, gloves, and hats critical for avoiding conditions like frostbite.
MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS
Preparation and safety go hand in hand. Regularly monitor weather conditions so you can be prepared for what’s coming. Keeping up with the weather forecast gives you the opportunity to adjust work schedules. Use this information to schedule work during the warmest parts of the day and plan out frequent breaks in warm areas on the coldest days.
INSPECT EQUIPMENT
Having tools and equipment that works properly is important year round. By doing a seasonal check in, you can avoid time consuming repairs and delays in the construction project timeline. Check on if you should replace any of your tool batteries and make sure your crew is educated on properly storing tools in cold temperatures.
If you need new power tools, to rent tools, or to get a tool repaired, stop in and see us at Miller’s Building Supply at 1918 East Monroe St in Goshen or view what we carry online.