With cold weather hitting much of the country hard this winter, the challenges in construction are multiplying. For construction business owners, it’s time to do more than just bundle up. Winter’s an important time to double down on commitments to worker and site safety. Read on for practical reminders and keep your protocols up to date.
Icy Surfaces, Low Visibility, Illness…
The hazards of the colder months are endless and relentless. Even if project timelines are tight, keep in mind that a single, preventable incident caused by winter conditions can lead to costly downtime, increased liability, and, most importantly, harm to your team. Prioritizing safety is always important, and winter requires extra attention. While steps like paying close attention to weather alerts, checking on the winter gear workers are using, and keeping a close eye on potential hazards at job sites, may seem obvious, a careless approach to fundamentals leads to trouble sooner or later. Start defrosting your approach to winter weather safety with these tips from Kendall Jones at Construct Connect:
- Inspect your construction sites for downed power lines and trees before allowing workers to begin work. Clear all snow and ice from walking and working surfaces….
- Put down salt or sand to melt icy patches and improve traction for workers. Make sure icy areas that can’t be cleared are clearly marked and instruct workers to slow down and take shorter steps….
- Give your workers adequate time to secure the construction site and get home safely before severe weather strikes….
- Keep a careful watch on workers for signs of hypothermia and frostbite …. Workers expend more energy when working in cold weather in order to keep their bodies warm. Make sure you have a heated trailer, tent or indoor area for workers to warm up…. Limit exposure to the elements by encouraging workers to take frequent breaks in order to rest and warm up, drink warm liquids and change out of wet clothing.
Of course, having–and using–the right clothing and personal protective equipment matters too. Basics like smart layering, emergency kits, and backup power for cell phones can save lives, so if it’s been a while since you’ve invested in gear and worker preparedness for cold weather, make the time to review winter protocols and gear, beginning with these pointers:
- Hard hats should be worn at all times…. Using liners in hard hats will help keep workers warm and prevent heat from escaping.
- Remind workers to keep their gloves on at all times, especially when climbing ladders, scaffolding, or getting onto construction equipment. Frostbite can occur immediately if workers touch extremely cold metal with bare hands.
- Workers should wear waterproof boots with non-slip soles and extra socks to protect against the cold if wearing steel-toed boots since the metal acts as a cold sink.
- Goggles, safety glasses, and facemasks can be treated with anti-fog spray to prevent their vision from being obstructed.
- Make sure personal fall arrest systems are adjusted to properly fit over bulkier clothing and inspect them before each….
- Layer clothing with some moisture-wicking thermals…and have a waterproof outer layer …. If clothing gets wet, it’s important to change into dry clothes to avoid losing body heat.
Good To Know: Symptoms of Cold Stress
When temperatures drop, design-build professionals at Gray remind constructors to be on the lookout for cold stress, noting that it is important to promptly address symptoms:
The ability to quickly recognize the symptoms of cold stress is important for preventing cold-related injuries. According to OSHA, cold stress occurs by driving down the skin temperature and eventually the body’s core temperature. Common risk factors for cold stress include wetness/dampness (e.g. sweating), dressing improperly, exhaustion, and poor physical conditioning….For more comprehensive information on how to prepare for and respond to severe winter weather, visit OSHA’s Winter Weather webpage.
Keeping The Work Moving: Bid, Payment and Performance Bonds
With no time to waste on the push to win and complete projects, you and your team can’t afford the drain typically associated with bonds. Here’s good news: Colonial Surety Company has made bonding speedy and easy. We help construction companies of all sizes improve bidding capacity and demonstrate reliability. Our Hometown Bond Program provides local builders with credit based underwriting bonds for up to $250k—no financial statements required.
Got something bigger in mind? No problem. We’ve got something special for you too.
Receive Free Business Credit Scores instantly, just for submitting an easy, speedy Pre-Qual for a surety line of credit in writing. Once qualified, welcome new projects in, as you leverage all the benefits of The Partnership Account® for Contractors, including:
- Written Bonding Limits: Receive your single and aggregate bonding limits in writing.
- Instant Bid Bond Issuance: Gain the ability to issue your own bid bonds within minutes, using our powers of attorney.
- Real-Time Visibility: Use your private dashboard to view your underwriting profile and insightful financial data in real-time.
Surety Bond programs for construction businesses of every size are right here:
Bonding Programs at Colonial Surety Company
Founded in 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial Surety Company is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed. Let’s connect today: Colonial Surety Company.