With the winter season upon us, it is time to ensure that your construction site is safe, avoiding any extra hazards the colder conditions might bring. Here’s how to identify and deal with them promptly.

Slips, trips, and falls

Wintery weather increases the risks of wet, slippery, and icy surfaces that can cause trips and falls. Scaffolding, ladders, work platforms, and walkways can be extra risky because of these conditions. You can reduce the likelihood of any injury by ensuring high foot traffic areas are clean and dry, asking workers to wear appropriate winter grade boots and clothing, especially High-vis clothing it’s foggy, and considering rescheduling tasks that require high visibility or working at heights to less foggy days.

Protect against winter colds

Practise good hygiene to prevent illnesses such as a cold, flu (or the coronavirus) coming onto your site. Ensure that work rooms and amenities are cleaned regularly, hand sanitiser is readily available and placed in high traffic areas, and posters are placed that illustrate good hygiene in commonly used areas. Share information with your workers about the protection a flu vaccine and COVID-19 boost shots offer.

Wind and rain

Strong winds, that can occur year-round, is another risk that must be properly addressed.  An unexpected gust could unbalance those working at heights such as on a raised platform or roof. Harnesses and handrails help, but even better is to postpone work until the wind abates.

Minimise a workers’ exposure by rotating workers and tasks, ensuring they take regular break to warm up, and ask them to bring a spare set of warm clothes.

Cold weather increases the risk of RSI

Repetitive strain injuries are potentially debilitating. When muscles get cold they are less flexible, leading to workers to risk a strain from overuse. Encourage workers to do muscle warming stretching exercises to prepare for the chilly weather.

Workers’ compensation insurance

Compulsory workers’ compensation insurance for your employees adds an extra layer of protection. Ensure your policy covers an injured workers’ lost earnings, and medical and rehabilitation costs.

Public liability insurance

Public Liability insurance covers damages to third party property and personal injury to the public due to your negligence or the activities of your construction workers. This is often included as part of a Construction Works policy.

We can help you find a cost-effective, customised policy for your construction business as well as guide you on better risk management.

If you would like to know more about how you can minimise you risk during the winter months, please CLICK HERE or contact us for more information.