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.

Wind chill index

For those working outside, knowing the weather forecast is important. Also, having the proper gear for all seasons is essential to the health and safety of construction workers. But in the winter months, temperatures can be misleading. This is a closer look at how the wind chill index can come into play.

Low temperatures and cold weather should be of enough concern, but when the wind is factored in, it can often feel much colder. Wind gusts of 20 miles per hour can make 10 degrees feel like it is 9 below, so you need to be prepared for what the wind blows your way.

When there is wind present along with the colder temperatures, the National Weather Service will issue wind chill advisories or wind chill warnings. That is to alert individuals of the dangers present while outside in frigid conditions.

Tips for working in frigid conditions:

• Stay alert and watch for hazards
• Be attentive to coworkers and notice if they are experiencing difficulty
• Take breaks regularly, and find a warm place to spend a few minutes
• Sometimes it turns cold fast, so make sure you take the time for your body to acclimate to the weather conditions and temperatures
• If you have the ability to avoid working in the most extreme conditions, take the day off
• Drink warm beverages, such as coffee or hot tea, to help keep your body temperature up
• Layer up because wet clothing can harm your body

By making sure you are ready for what the winter weather throws your way, you can reduce the risk of physical harm to yourself or your crew.

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.

The days are getting colder. Winter is quickly approaching. You will want to be preparing your heavy equipment and machinery for the colder weather, so you can prevent damage that can be expensive and time-consuming. Now is the time to plan and get things in order. Here are a few tips for getting your heavy equipment ready for the cold weather that lies ahead.

• Be sure to condition any and all hydraulic hoses and use the correct lubricants. Make sure your equipment has the right engine, transmission, hydraulic, and final drive lubricants for that specific piece of equipment.
• Use enclosed storage facilities for your equipment, and be sure fluids are at room temperature. That will make for an easier start for your machine and you will spend less time brushing off all the snow and ice.
• In most situations, block heaters are best for getting your engine started in cold weather. A block heater will increase the temperature of the hydraulic fluid and the engine. You can block the radiator to speed up the warming-up process.
• Be sure that all batteries are fully charged and that they are warm. When it is cold, it takes twice as many cranking amps for your battery to turn over, so making sure it is charged and warm will make it start much easier and more quickly.
• Keep starting fluid on hand, be sure it stays at room temperature, and only inject it as the engine is cranking. Be sure to store starting fluids properly and safely as they are highly flammable.
• You should always run the engine until it reaches the temperature for operation. This can help you avoid sticking of the exhaust and intake.
• Make sure you keep your tires properly inflated because they lose cold air faster in cold weather. Also, when they are inflated, do so in a heated area for the best results.