Winter presents distinct hazards for those working in the construction industry. Not just slips and falls, but also the possibility of hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, injuries from equipment failures, vehicle accidents, and more. But even in areas where ice, snow, and frigid temperatures are the norm for winter, work must go on. The need to pay close attention to the particular safety requirements of winter is a must for avoiding workplace accidents.
Preparedness
- Monitor weather forecasts: Knowing what the weather will bring helps make vital decisions about whether to work, and if so, where and how. It also protects employers by getting workers home before they get stuck in the worst of conditions.
- Weatherizing: Start your winter days by checking for hazards, such as ice and snow, hanging icicles, or dangerously low temperatures. Work should begin by knocking down hanging ice, scraping away ice and snow or cordoning off areas where this isn’t possible, and making decisions about work areas–on cold days wind breaks are important.
- Provide heated shelter: Hypothermia can occur in temperatures as high as 50 degrees if wind and rain are present, and hypothermia is not only dangerous in itself, but it can lead to poor judgment or the inability to safely handle tools. You should, therefore, provide a heated space and encourage workers to take frequent warming breaks. Be sure, if carbon monoxide producing heaters are used, that the warming space is properly ventilated.
- Stock vehicles with emergency kits: Employees may have to drive vehicles in harsh conditions, so each vehicle should be stocked with an emergency kit. The kit could include items such as: a snow shovel, ice scraper, ice melt, sand or cat litter for traction, a sleeping bag, non-perishable food, water, emergency flares, and tow straps.
Personnel
- Train workers: Teaching workers to recognize the signs of frostbite and hypothermia will prepare them to act before a cold emergency arises. Signs such as slurred speech, clumsiness, and shivering can be signs of an impending cold emergency and should be acted on quickly.
- Dress appropriately: Make sure workers wear hard hats with liners to protect against falls and falling ice; layered dry clothing to provide sufficient warmth; waterproof boots with an extra pair of socks (steel toes get colder quicker), and safety glasses or goggles treated with a no-fog spray.
- Check fall arrest systems: The hazards of falls from roofs or high places are amplified with ice and snow. It is thus crucial to be sure that arrest systems are in working order and that harnesses have been adjusted to allow for extra layers of clothing.
- Encourage frequent breaks: To avoid cold emergencies, workers should take frequent warming breaks and hydrate with warm liquids. Caffeinated beverages are not recommended as the increased heart rate they cause provides a false sense of warmth.
Work Site
- Use the buddy system: Employees should work in pairs and monitor each other for signs of cold-related ailments.
- Monitor the site: Supervisors should make frequent sweeps of the site to check for renewed icing and build up of snow, changing conditions, and signs in employees of hypothermia and frostbite.
- Schedule work for warmth: On extremely cold days, work should be scheduled for the warmest part of the day. You should also consider whether tasks should only be performed in protected areas.
- Use tool safety: Failure of tools can lead to injuries, and cold increases the hazard of failure. Be sure that tools are stocked with cold resistant fluids and warm them up before use. Be aware that ladders, scaffolding, and other metal surfaces can cause frostbite more quickly than exposure alone can.
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Ivan Young is a writer in partnership with steel piping distributors, Fed Steel.
