There are many factors contractors need to be aware of on construction sites. One that can potentially be overlooked? The changing of the seasons. As seasons come and go, the safety considerations that need to be prioritized shift, too. And with winter fast approaching, now’s a good time to refresh your memory––and approach––to getting things done, safely, in the cold. Michael Faith, Risk Management Technical Manager at Builders Mutual, walks us through what cold weather safety considerations your team should keep top of mind.

Understanding Cold Weather Risks 

No matter what time of year contractors are working through, there’s often more safety concerns than meets the eye. As winter rolls in, it might seem like the only thing that’s changed is a chill in the air. But in reality, there are new considerations that need to be accounted for in your safety planning, including:

1. Compromised Surfaces

Surfaces change in cooler weather. Being aware is a key part of staying safe. Once you’ve had your first frost of the season, it’s important to keep tabs on any areas that might be slicker than usual, such as roofs, sidewalks, or other exposed work areas. Know where your worksite freezes over first. For instance, metal (such as on scaffolding) might get slippery up top before it’s noticeably impacted down at ground level.  

2. Undetected Overexertion

In the warmer months, there are tell-tale signs of overexertion: flushed faces, excess sweat, general feelings of unease. Cold, for the most part, hides these symptoms, making it harder to tell if a contractor is dehydrated, exhausted, or just generally beyond their limits. 

3. Discomfort-Induced Mistakes

Rarely are contractors truly at risk for situations like frostbite or hypothermia. And yet, being uncomfortable can increase carelessness on the job-site, compromising both safety and quality. For example, if your fingers are frigid, you might be more likely to hurry through a task that still demands the same amount of attention, cold or not. 

Tips for Working Around Cold Weather

To ensure your safety standards are upheld no matter the weather, it’s important to think proactively. Here are some tips for keeping contractors safe in winter conditions:

1. Know the Forecast (and the Limits)

First things first: use modern technology to your advantage. Today, weather forecasts offer in-depth predictions, including what the temperature is likely to be at different hours of the day, when precipitation might happen, what MPH wind gusts can reach, and more. Knowing the forecast will help you know what parts of the job are reasonably achievable each day, helping your crews avoid unnecessary risks due to weather.

2. Enforce Frequent Rotations

Because the cold puts contractors at risk of overexerting themselves without realizing it, rotations are especially important. If one contractor is outside doing an unprotected task, try to rotate them with another contractor every hour or half-hour. If you have four people working, rotate all of them every hour (with one person getting a break) to reduce the chance of overheating and task burnout, while encouraging each person to stay engaged and use different muscles throughout the day. 

3. Layer With High-Tech Materials 

Clothing technology has come so far, making it easier than ever to dress against any type of weather. Educate contractors on what kind of underlayers will keep them most comfortable, such as wool socks, thermal pants, or any materials that wick moisture away. Beyond making smart base layer choices, also encourage contractors to wear multiple layers. That way, they’ll be able to peel off clothing and adjust their temperature as the day warms up and cools down again throughout the course of a long shift. 

4. Offer Comfortable Refuge

A break from the job should also be a break from the elements. On smaller job-sites, consider allowing workers to warm up in their vehicles during shift rotations or when they’re on a break. On larger job-sites (or whenever possible), it can also be helpful to have a communal trailer with portable heaters, or just a place that’s shielded from wind, sleet, snow, and the extreme temperatures of the outdoors. 

5. Assess (and Reassess) Your Job-Site

As in any weather, hazard assessment is critical to identifying, understanding, and avoiding risks. Regularly walk your job-site looking for spaces and situations that might leave contractors unnecessarily exposed. For example, one side of a building might be in the sun, where there are minimal weather-related risks throughout the day, while the other side might have shade, bringing up different concerns. 

At Builders Mutual, we’re dedicated to helping you maximize safety, every day you––or your people––are on the job. We’re always here to point you toward valuable safety resources or be another voice of safety for your crew. Contact your Risk Management Consultant today to learn more about how we can work together to protect your contractors, this winter and beyond.