As the wintertime approaches, employers and managers should be aware of the ever-changing seasonal hazards their workers may face. Although accidents happen year-round, the risk intensifies when the temperatures drop below freezing and the roads become slick. Now is the perfect time to inspect your current safety protocols. As a leader in the ROW contractor industry, we know a thing or two about safety. With the right preparation, your employees will be in good hands for the upcoming winter months and know how to navigate winter working conditions.
Cold related illnesses:
In our industry, workers are faced with health and safety threats from freezing temperatures. Without proper protection, workers commonly face chilblains, trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia. Not only is your worker’s health at risk, but the entire organization may suffer the consequences as well. For example, employees who fail to wear gloves may experience frostbite on their hands. This makes operating equipment and tools difficult which increases the chance of an accident occurring.
Your employee’s health and safety always come first. Implementing winter safety practices avoids health risks before they can happen. To ensure protection, train employees to be prepared for any instance. Training should include selecting proper clothing, noticing the symptoms of cold illnesses, and how to help those affected.
Slips, trips, and falls:
Everyday hazards include slips, trips, and falls. However, winter working conditions intensify this risk when there’s ice and snow on the ground. Without proper caution, injuries may occur resulting in broken limbs, cracked ribs, back injuries, and trauma to the head.
Before anything, train your employees to take extra safety precautions when the ground is slick. Taking short steps and walking slow around snow-covered surfaces will minimize the risk of falling. Managers should also assess working areas regularly. Locating and marking slick spots helps workers know what areas to avoid.
Winter driving:
While on the road, employees need to be fully equipped and trained on winter driving methods. Employees assigned to vehicles and transporting duties should be familiar with hazardous road conditions such as icy pavement, black ice, muddy roads, etc.
Before the temperatures drop, do a seasonal vehicle inspection to ensure the brakes, heating and cooling systems, electrical system, and engine are checked to avoid any delays. It’s also wise to keep necessary tools in the vehicle in case you unexpectedly run into hazardous weather. This includes an ice scraper, shovel, tow chain, traction chain, jumper cables, and deicing windshield wiper fluid.
Powered equipment:
Dirty or clogged filters make powered equipment difficult to operate. Clearing any jams requires proper maintenance and cleaning procedures. Employees should be aware of proper grounding techniques to prevent the risk of electric shock or electrocution. Before clearing snow or debris, the machine must be completely turned off and is disconnected from any power source.
At Lanracorp, we believe that preparation is prevention. The best way to avoid winter-related hazards is to follow a culture of safety. That’s why we’ve implemented our Innovate 4 Safety program to ensure our crew is safe in all instances. Learn more on our website.