Winter is the season that makes most people forget about regular construction site safety precautions. In our daily life, we must follow certain rules to stay safe. When it comes to construction activities, we have to abide by the standards and safety procedures at work. This will help us prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the construction site. Climatic conditions at the construction site change during winter. It is critical to maintain safety precautions at all times to avoid any accidents and losses. The team plays a major role in maintaining the safety of workers at construction sites during winter.
Now, let me tell you that the ground during winter can be very slippery and there is more chance of falling from a building frame or scaffolding as compared to other seasons as well as some unexpected accidents may happen when it gets colder. Further, laying asphalt or pouring concrete in winter needs special precautions. Some materials are more difficult to handle and other materials freeze during winter. The cold weather makes it hard for the workers to move around without slipping on the icy sidewalk or falling into an icy puddle of water on the ground. Many people are injured while they are working at construction sites in the wintertime because of slipping on ice and falling into icy puddles.
So, here’s a list of some important safety precautions that should be followed at the construction site during winter to ensure the complete health and comfort of all your workers.
Train the Team
All the team members, whether construction workers or operators of a trackhoe for sale, should get proper training. The training of all the workers before the winter season hit the region may save you all from major mishaps. All workers should know about the symptoms of cold stress including hypothermia, trench foot, frostbit, etc. You should also educate them if they are captured by any of the conditions what should they do as an emergency. Besides them, everyone on the site should follow the following safety precaution. Further, if any worker finds their co-worker in such condition as shivering, mumbling, or losing coordination, should immediately rush to the emergency.
Safety Practices
Construction sites sometimes have to deal with inclement weather conditions. It can snow, or even rain. Sometimes, when the weather is bad, the roads may be in poor condition so there is a potential risk of injury on site. Construction workers should be aware of these hazards and must monitor the work site accordingly. Some other safety precautions to follow are:
Limiting outdoor exposure
It’s easy to get distracted by the cold, snow, and beauty of winter. But if you’re going to be out in the elements, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. It is more important to schedule the tasks accordingly. If the weather is too rainy and snowy outside, then you should plan all the indoor jobs so that you cannot waste your time in waiting for the weather to get normal. Further, outdoor exposure will leave you in severe conditions. So, it is mandatory to avoid outdoor exposure as much as you can. If anyway you need to go out, make sure to cover yourself properly.
Wear Proper Dress
You may think winter clothes are bulky and uncomfortable but they can keep you warm when exposed to the elements. Choose clothes that are lightweight and water resistant as well as durable enough to handle the conditions outdoors. Also make sure they fit, snugly around your waistline so that they don’t easily come off when you trip or fall down a hillside.
Wear insulated clothing such as a coat or jacket that is not too heavy for your body temperature. You should also wear gloves if you have them available as well as boots with good traction.
Dressing properly can also help prevent accidents while working outdoors during the winter months. If possible, wear layered clothing that allows you to add or remove layers as needed depending on the temperature outside. Avoid wearing loose clothing that can get caught under machinery or equipment if possible. Also, avoid wearing dresses or skirts that could catch on equipment or machinery while a worker is operating it.
Remove Ice and Snow
If you see ice on sidewalks or driveways, immediately clear it away from where people walk by shoveling it into piles or dumping it into garbage cans. When clearing snow from walkways or driveways, use a snow shovel or push broom rather than pushing it. Snow and ice can be slippery for all the workers, whether construction worker or operators of a trackhoe for sale. So, it’s important to stay safe when you’re on the job.
conclusion
Winter is also a time when accidents and injuries often occur, so it is important to take safety precautions when performing construction activities. When working outdoors in cold weather, it is important to limit exposure by dressing properly. In this article, you may read about the things you should follow at the construction site during the winter season.
