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.

If you work construction, you know that the cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your body. You need to make sure you have the right winter gear to keep you warm during those colder months. If you work in construction, here are some of the basic items you need to have in your closet:

• Insulated boots
• Sweatshirts
• Hoodies
• Thermal underwear
• Work jackets
• Base layer clothing
• Work pants
• Insulate gloves
• Work shirts
• Hard hat liners
• Beanies
• Insulated socks
• Hand warmers
• Footwarmers
• Coat

You should also have waterproof boots and a rain jacket. During the winter months, you may work in snow and ice, so you want to make sure you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Always take along a change of clothing in case you get wet while on the job because you don’t want to get wet and stay out in the cold temperatures.

You should know how to properly layer clothing, so you can make sure you are warm in the extremely cold temperatures, but also have the flexibility of taking off layers as you warm up during the workday. It is important for anyone who operates heavy machinery, or who does any kind of construction work or works in an agricultural role, to have the proper clothing and gear for all seasons.

Winter Gear Gift Ideas

If you have someone on your holiday gift-buying list who has a job that sends them outdoors frequently, you may want to consider buying them some winter gear because that is a gift that will serve them well for a long time to come and it can help them stay warm and healthy.

There are many high-quality manufacturers of winter gear for those who work outdoors, and they are available at many different stores and online. Some of the leading brands include North Face, Duluth Trading Company, Carhartt, Lincoln Outfitters,  Rocky, C.E. Schmidt, Berne, and Scully.

Natural disasters have affected people around the world. These floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes have caused significant damage, which requires the efforts of many construction companies and their workers. Cranes, bulldozers, and other forms of heavy equipment are needed to clean up the debris and to make the communities safe again. Then, truckers are needed to haul in the equipment for the cleanups, take in supplies for the rebuilding, and haul in the equipment for the new construction efforts to clean up the damage.

The Water Damage Restoration and Clean-Up Process

For those communities that have suffered from flooding, there will be a need for water damage restoration and clean-up to ensure the communities are safe for residents. Here are some tips for those working with flood clean-up and restoration:

• Structural and electrical damage inspections – starting from the exterior before entrance is permitted
• Check for gas leaks and fire hazards using battery-powered light sources
• Wear durable shoes, eye protection, and sturdy rubber gloves
• Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or ammonia during the cleaning process.
• Stay on the lookout for snakes, rodents, fire ants, and other animals.
• Wear a respirator to filter spores when working around mold

Clean-Up After Tornados or Earthquakes

The clean-up process after an earthquake or tornado can be intense. Be sure to wear gloves, sturdy shoes, and protective gear. Be on the lookout for electrical risks, such as broken power lines. Watch for broken glass, sharp objects, and rodents. A respirator might be needed to filter the air if there are contaminants or mold.

Training For Such Tasks

If you are interested in a career helping with cleanup and damage restoration or rebuilding after natural disasters, ATS training programs are available to train those for different roles in the construction field. Learn about heavy equipment operation, crane operating, or truck driving from ATS. To learn about the ATS programs, call (800) 383-7364 today to learn more about training programs at Associated Training Services.

Seasonal conditions can wreak havoc with the best laid plans. It could be raining hard – but that’s okay, you have windshield wipers. It could be a quagmire or two inches of snow – but that is why you have tracks and not wheels. It could be five degrees below – now your heavy equipment could have problems.

Freezing temperatures can cause a lot of problems when it comes to heavy equipment. Below freezing temperatures will often cause problems with any liquids used – hydraulic fluids, oil, water – these can all be affected. Engines are slow to start and take a long while to warm up. You can buy special anti freeze products that will often help.

One problem that many new operators don’t consider, or even realize could be a problem, is frost bite – and yes, heavy equipment can suffer a form of frost bite. This is the situation where the metal becomes so cold that it becomes brittle. Try digging and rather than performing normally, the digging tool snaps or shatters.

This is a common problem and some manufacturers even recommend heating some attachments with a torch before using them. This returns the steel to it tough state removing its brittleness. If you are going to be operating in extreme conditions, maintenance becomes extremely important. Well maintained heavy equipment can withstand extremes and continue to operate.

These are just some of the difficulties faced by new operators. Those new operators that have had training through a professional accredited heavy equipment training school will be taught how to handle some of these situations better preparing them for the workplace. That’s why employers prefer to employ new operators that have undertaken professional accredited training.