Scaffolding Safety Tips for Winter


Working on construction sites in winter is a refreshing relief from the heat of summer, but it’s important to keep in mind that you need to take more precaution to remain safe and healthy. Rain, snow, and ice are extremely hazardous so making use of appropriate scaffoldingsafety measures is paramount. Snow covered most of the southern states at some point this winter and you may have experienced some accidents or injuries. Looking forward, now is an ideal time to review your safety performance, safety measures, and look at ways you can improve these indicators. With this being said, here are our top scaffolding safety tips for winter.



Regularly monitor the weather


You should be monitoring the weather every day to keep an eye out for any storms that may be drawing near. The last thing you need is for yourworkers to get stranded on-site. If possible, workers should have lots of time to secure the construction site and get home before any severe weather hits. You can simply set up a weather app and notifications on your smartphone.

Inspections


Whenever your construction site has been hit by a storm, you should review it for fallen power lines and trees before allowing any work to begin. If it's been snowing, you should get rid of all the snow and ice from walking paths and working surfaces, including scaffolding surfaces, roofs, walkways, and ladders. A practical idea is to melt any snow by adding a modest amount of salt which will increase traction for workers.

Provide a heated break area


If possible, establish a heated break area in a tent, trailer, or indoor area where people can warm up from the cold. Workers spend more energy when working in cold temperatures to keep their bodies warm, so workers should be advised to take breaks more often so they can drink warm liquids and change clothing if required.

Appropriate PPE


Even though proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be worn by workers, it's much more important during the winter season. Hard hats should be worn at all times to protect workers from falling objects like icicles and from slips and falls on ice. If the temperature really drops, gloves should be worn where appropriate like when climbing ladders or getting onto construction equipment. In addition, waterproof boots with non-slip soles and thick socks should be worn to protect against the cold temperatures.

Clothing


Wearing warm clothing is a given, however remember that a balance is required to make sure that workers remain both warm and nimble. It's highly recommended that workers bring a change of clothes in the event that it rains - changing into dry clothes is crucial to avoid losing body heat. Wool socks, beanies, earmuffs, and balaclavas are also encouraged coupled with gloves for the hands.

Put emergency kits in work vehicles


Each company vehicle should be equipped with a winter weather emergency kit. Each kit should contain a shovel, sleeping bag, ice scraper and brush, water, non-perishable snacks like protein bars, tow straps, and emergency flares. Workers should also be instructed to take care when driving in snow and ice, and ensure they allow themselves lots of time to reach their destination to avoid any accidents.

Working in cold weather presents much more hazards and risks to workers thanks to slippery ice, snow, and storms which can wreak havoc on construction sites. To make sure your workers stay safe and healthy, these safety tips should be directed to workers habitually so it stays fresh in their minds. If you need any additional advice regarding scaffolding safety, talk with the specialists at Uni-Span by phoning 1300 882 825.



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