Tips for Keeping Construction Crews Safe in Winter

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in North America, with over 26,000 Canadian construction crew workers injured on the job in 2017, according to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada.

With many workplace accidents going unreported, this number is likely much higher in reality.

When completing construction work in winter, which is the most dangerous season for construction crews to work in, keeping your construction crew safe can be extra challenging.

Learn how you can keep your construction crews safe in winter with our tips for creating safer worker environments and gearing your construction crew up with the appropriate clothing and knowledge to safely tackle their work in the winter season.

Create a safe working environment

Before your construction crew even enters the jobsite or work area, ensure you create a safe working environment. Slips, trips and falls account for 60% of falls reported by construction workers each year in Canada, with weather hazards being a large contributing cause.  

Tips for creating a safe working environment for your construction crew in winter include:

• Have snow cleared before work begins on your jobsite
• De-ice your working environment and have reserves of sand or salt available onsite to continue de-icing throughout the day if necessary. Before you use any de-icing agent, make sure it complies with your site environmental requirements. Some sites prohibit the use of de-icers that are salt-based as they can change the pH and conductivity of ground water
• Ensure hazards hidden by snow are well marked (holes, excavations, slippery surfaces, etc.)
• Have snow regularly cleared throughout the day as it piles up
• Encourage your snow removal team to use a push rather than lift motion when clearing snow with a shovel to reduce lower back strain
• Plan to keep access roads to your jobsite cleared and well-maintained
• Be aware of inclines and surfaces onsite that become slippery in winter (wooden ramps and scaffolding become especially slippery!)

Require that workers dress for the elements along with proper PPE onsite

Along with required personal protective equipment (PPE), require that your construction crew wear clothing that is appropriate and properly rated for the temperatures you’re working in.

Clothing requirements are very climate and situational-based, but commonly include:

• Outer layers of clothing that are waterproof and windproof, and inner layers that are insulating
• Gloves properly rated for extreme cold temperatures
• Headwear that covers ears (30 to 50 per cent of body heat is lost through the head!)
• Waterproof footwear with good grip on ice (boots with rubber tread are ideal). Gaiters are suggested for jobsites with high snowfall to prevent snow from falling inside boots
• Two layers of socks are recommended, with polypropylene material suggested for the first layer, and wool suggested as the secondary layer, to keep moisture away from the skin. Make sure that boots aren’t too snug fitting with layered socks as it could restrict blood circulation
• Have spare boots and outerwear available onsite in case workers’ winter wear becomes wet – this not only helps your crew stay warm, but maximizes your productivity!

Try to avoid cotton cloth if possible because it tends to retain moisture – wool is recommended as a better option.

Other tips for keeping your construction crew safe in winter

Along with creating a safe working environment and requiring that crews dress appropriately for the elements and wear proper PPE, here are a few extra tips to ensure your construction crew stays safe while working in winter:

• Schedule the more labour-intensive tasks during daylight and warmest part of the day if possible
• Be mindful of ladder placement – ladders should never be placed on ice
• Provide a heated break area – heat your break areas with an indirect-fired industrial heater and ensure your industrial heaters have had appropriate seasonal maintenance to ensure they continuously run smoothly onsite
• Warm up equipment and tools beforehand when/if necessary
• Provide training for your crew on cold-related injury and illness symptoms
• Have a buddy system so your crew can watch out for one another
• Tools and equipment with metal handles and bars should be covered by thermal-insulating material
• Reliable, industrial light towers can help make sites safer by increasing your crew’s visibility, especially in winter months with shorter daylight. If your jobsite is in a location with strong winds, ensure your light towers have outriggers to prevent them from blowing over
• Always check the weather forecast in advance and have guidelines and protocols in place for halting work when necessary to protect your most valuable investment – your workers!

By following these tips to optimize your construction crew’s safety, you can keep your crew safe and enjoy a productive winter with no worker injuries or fatalities and minimized downtime.

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