The construction industry is well known to be the most dangerous industry in the UK, being unfortunate enough to experience a third of work-based fatalities each year. Much of the risk in construction is endemic, but there are seasonal risks which can greatly increase danger on active work sites. The winter months are particularly dangerous, as light levels decrease alongside temperatures – but what can you do to reduce incidences of harm on active sites during the winter?
Season-Appropriate Gear
First, it is important to recognise the direct risks cold and adverse weather conditions pose to working construction personnel. The biggest and most obvious challenge is temperature, with cold weather having numerous adverse effects on the boy. More specifically to construction, colder weather can lead to lower blood circulation to the extremities, meaning less precise control of hazardous equipment and increase in risk of construction Site accidents.
Worker comfort is essential to maintaining optimal quality of work, making the provision of winter coats and gloves a necessity. With lower temperatures safety footwear is similarly essential, owing to the combined risks of icy ground and conventional construction site crush risks. Last but not least, hi-vis clothing should be provided to maximise visibility, as the days grow shorter and instances of fog increase.
Designated Rest Areas
Another crucial aspect to reducing construction Site accidents is making sure that designated rest areas are available to workers. These areas should be sheltered and heated, and allow access to amenities such as hot drinks or food heating. Even in season-appropriate clothing, the cold can be dangerous. Too long spent in the cold can lead to adverse health, and increased risk of injury; having a space to warm up and regroup is essential.
Training
Of course, not all safety provisions are tangible. One of the more effective ways in which you can positively impact worker safety during the winter is through robust and comprehensive training. Training programmes can make sure that your teams know everything there is to know about weather risks, and the fresh hazards presented by winter weather. This enables your workers to watch out for one another, to work safely together and to flag hazards to foremen or project managers at a much quicker rate.
Advance Prep
Lastly, it is yours or your project manager’s responsibility to ensure that the work site adequately meets the risks posed by adverse weather – particularly risks inherent to unpredictable weather events such as snowstorms or gales. This is not just in relation to providing suitable PPE or employee training, but also in relation to site infrastructure.
As a case study, particularly volatile weather could lead to an unanticipated power cut, which could pose serious risks of construction Site accidents. Tools could power down mid-use and seize in material, creating a hazard for users; lighting rigs might be in use to combat low light, the failure of which renders any active construction site multiply more dangerous. A backup power source would minimise risk in this scenario, and keep safety at a level.
