Trade work is high demand at the moment, as shortages of skilled workers in construction, plumbing and electrics continue to prove lucrative for trade businesses and contractors already operating. However, trade work is also in high demand year-round – exposing contractors and employees alike to the dangers of winter weather. As a contractor or tradesperson in a leading role, what are some essential safety tips to follow?
Clothing and Seasonal Health
The changing of the seasons is most keenly and immediately felt by our bodies, as lower temperatures and adverse weather conditions impact our personal comfort and health. Cold air and cold contact surfaces alike can make motor control of your extremities more difficult, leading to less precision and increased risk of accident.
There is also a mental health angle to winter working. The shorter days and longer nights can make commitment to a long day of physical labour difficult, inducing tiredness and sometimes stress in workers – to say nothing of the potential impacts of Seasonal Affective Disorder on mood and productivity.
Clothes are essential items of protective equipment in the cold weather. Gloves should be worn in order to insulate your extremities and guarantee control over your tools; hi-viz jackets are crucial for visibility in low-light scenarios too, so that others can see you – whether co-workers, passers-by or motorists.
Sheltered break space should be created as a good safety tip to allow yourself and others to warm up, and to provide comfort in the form of amenities such as hot drinks.
Tool Maintenance
The colder months also present new challenges with regard to the proper maintenance of tools and equipment. Pneumatic tools can suffer as a result of the decreased air pressure, while machines that haven’t been oiled or greased in some time can seize, as a result of older lubricative materials ‘gumming up’ in the cold. A preparatory maintenance sessionas as a safety tip can ensure all larger and pneumatic tools are up to scratch ahead of the season.
It is highly likely that you will be using generators to power tools and lighting on-site, where three-phase electricity is unavailable or incomplete; these generators will largely function well in the cold, but should nonetheless benefit from increased inspections to ensure they are running efficiently.
Site Safety
Apart from the issue of personal clothing and protective equipment, there are numerous other health and safety concerns pertinent to the winter season and the inclement weather it brings. In terms of site safety, cold weather increases the likelihood of water freezing on surfaces, whether the ground or on scaffolding and ladders. This can significantly increase the risk of slips and trips on-site – which are, incidentally, the single largest cause of fatal injuries across industries in the UK.
With standing water presenting a new form of risk in the winter, and with the additional risk of snow accumulation to manage, designated health and safety officers on site will need to introduce new measures that ensure safety – whether temporary shelter solutions or regular clearing sessions.
