There are many safety hazards in the construction industry, no matter the time of year. Here are 7 ways to keep your site, and employees, safe on the job this winter.
Health and safety of employees is extremely important, no matter what industry you work in, but there are certain types of businesses that must make safety their top priority. One of these businesses is construction, and failing to take the right safety measures can lead to undesirable consequences, such as:
At Matrix Labor Leasing, we make safety our number one priority. We partner with various construction companies to train employees, and eliminate any unsafe practices that can seriously harm your workers and other passersby.
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Winter on a construction site brings with a whole host of hazards with it. From slips and trips, to frostbite and damaged equipment, the colder season requires specific safety measures to ensure a safe and productive site during the winter months.
To keep your workers safe and your site hazard-free, here are 7 simple winter construction safety tips you should implement today:
When the wind and snow are blowing, and the temperature is extremely cold, it’s important to reduce your workers’ exposure to the elements. So schedule outside work in shorter durations and if you have larger projects, break them up into smaller tasks.
As an employer, you must watch the weather forecasts and know when the weather and conditions could make outside work dangerous. The last thing you want to do is send your workers out to a job site the day of a blizzard.
Outside work is necessary for the construction industry, but during the winter especially, workers need a place to take a break from the elements and warm themselves. You may want to consider using a heated trailer or a tent with portable heaters for this purpose. Tip: Always use the proper safety measures with the heaters.
To work in severely cold weather, your employees need to have the right clothing, including coats, gloves, hats, and boots. Ensuring that these are provided will prevent your workers from getting frostbite or hypothermia. Also, shoes should have non-slip soles to prevent falling.
Before work begins, your supervisor must review the site to ensure that no new hazards have formed overnight. This could include snow, ice accumulation, or fallen trees or power lines.
In addition to extreme temperatures, workers shouldn’t have to deal with the hazards presented by snow and ice. Before work is started in the morning, make sure the snow is removed and salt/sand is put down. While it may seem like a hassle, these efforts will greatly reduce the risk of injury and fatalities.
You can’t always be on the job site so make sure that your supervisors and workers know the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite, so that if anyone shows these signs, they can receive immediate medical attention.
To find out more about how Matrix Labor Leasing can help you promote winter safety on your construction site, and prevent injuries and fatalities on the job, contact our Calgary office today at 1-866-666-9520 or fill in our online contact form.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we work on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
