Prepare your job site for winter weather

Winter weather can add to the existing hazards one faces when working on construction. When there is a risk of snow and ice or even blustery winds, you need to take the proper precautions to help ensure the safety of your crew at the job site.

Strong winds, snow, and ice increase the risk of falls, so make sure the crew wears boots with good traction. Frostbite is also a risk, so make sure your team knows to bundle up and recommend insulated boots.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that construction workers wear at least three layers of loose clothing to stay warm. When workers must drive in wintry conditions, they need to be familiar with proper winter maintenance for vehicles. They should also know how to drive safely in inclement weather conditions.

For those working outdoors, cold stress is a serious threat. That is when the body gets too cold then cannot warm itself up. That is a condition that requires immediate attention.

Every worker must be prepared for working in cold weather, and every employer must take preparing their employees for such weather seriously.

Be sure you and/or the team check the weather forecast and stay current on the latest weather patterns, so you can be prepared for anything that heads toward the job site.

Have an emergency kit readily available on the job site, so workers can get warmed up and get the care and attention that they need should an emergency arise.