Scaffolding Safety Tips for Winter
There are always dangers inherent in using scaffoldingequipment, however these risks are exaggerated in the winter season. Snow and ice become incredibly hazardous so adhering to all scaffolding safety measures is paramount to ensure workers remain safe and healthy. Having just finished the winter season, how did your workers handle the additional safety risks? What additional measures do you take to ensure the safety of your workers during winter? To give you some insight into scaffolding safety during winter, here are our top tips to ensure the safety of your workers.
Inspections
Any time your construction site has been hit by a storm, you must examine it for fallen power lines and trees before allowing work to begin again. If it's been snowing, you should remove all the snow and ice from walking paths and working surfaces, including scaffolding surfaces, ladders, walkways, and roofs. A clever idea is to melt any snow by adding a reasonable amount of salt which will increase traction for your workers. You should also stress the importance of fall safety protection in icy conditions.
Appropriate PPE
Even though proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times, it's a lot more important during the cold weather. Hard hats should always be worn to protect workers from falling objects like icicles and from slips and falls on ice. If the temperature really tumbles, gloves are encouraged to be worn 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.
Watch the weather
Keeping an eye out for any storms that may be closing is crucial to make sure that your workers don't get stranded on-site. In reality, they should have ample time to secure the construction site and get home before any severe weather hits. You can easily download a weather app or make use of the notices from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Provide a heated break area
If possible, design a heated break area in an indoor area, trailer, or tent where staff can warm up from the cold. Everyone spends 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 needed.
Clothing
Wearing warm clothing is clearly essential, however bear in mind that workers shouldn’t go overboard to the point where they are no longer dexterous. It's highly recommended that workers bring a change of clothes just in case it rains - changing into dry clothes is critical to avoid losing body heat. Beanies, wool socks, earmuffs, and balaclavas are also recommended coupled with gloves for the hands.
Warm up equipment and tools
Warming up equipment and tools is imperative throughout the winter season to ensure that electrical wires and hoses aren't destroyed from the cold temperatures. It's also necessary to ensure that the fluids such as engine and hydraulic oils in your equipment are appropriately rated for the temperatures. Try to minimise using equipment that isn't fitted with an enclosed cab to keep your workers warm.
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 make it to their destination to avoid any accidents.
Working in the cold weather presents a lot more hazards and risks to workers resulting from slippery ice, snow, and storms which can wreak havoc on construction sites. To make sure your workers continue to be safe and healthy, the abovementioned safety tips should be directed to workers frequently so it stays fresh in their minds. If you need any supplementary advice regarding scaffolding safety, speak with the specialists at Uni-Span by phoning 1300 882 825.
