NOVEMBER 2021 | 29
Installer Support
HOW TO KEEP SAFE DURING COLD WINTER MONTHS
The construction industry has withstood many changes during the coronavirus pandemic , and now there is no shortage of projects to keep up with . But as companies work to keep to their deadlines , it ’ s important to take the time to keep employees safe during the colder months .
You probably have safety measures in place on all your sites , but these processes should be reviewed and adapted specifically for winter to ensure that your workers are as safe as possible . Here , tools , equipment , and PPE supplier Zoro summarises some of the key things you can do as the weather turns cooler .
Prepare before winter hits
When the weather starts to get colder , you should start to make preparations for the upcoming months . Good measures to take are purchasing grit , salt , or sand to make walking on-site safer — this way , you will have it ready as soon as you need it . Check that any machine fluids ( such as engine oil and hydraulic oil ) are manufactured to withstand the expected temperatures . Then , conduct a survey of all the heaters in the cabs of any vehicles to be sure that they are working , arranging repairs as necessary .
Lastly , ensure that you have the necessary tools to deal with melting snow and ice . Pooling water can slow down construction as well as making it unsafe for workers , so review your plans for water run-off to see if these areas can cope with the additional water during winter rain and snow .
Prevent falls
Falling and slipping is one of the most common issues that employees face on construction sites throughout winter . One of the easiest things that you can do to lessen the likelihood of your workers falling , is to salt and grit as many walkways , scaffolding platforms , and steps are less slippery .
You should also make sure that your workers are wearing hard hats at all times on-site , as one of the biggest dangers
when people fall is that they can hit their heads . To remind people to use gritted walkways , and wear hard hats , it ’ s useful to have a designated safety point with a whiteboard that summarises that site ’ s safety protocol . This should include instructions for what to do when someone has a fall , such as not moving them if they are struggling or unconscious , and calling NHS 111 for advice if they or a colleague notices any injuries or mental fatigue after falling while working .
Provide warm gloves and clothing
Lots of the tasks on construction sites require people to be dexterous with their hands , so it ’ s important to keep them warm . It ’ s not only unpleasant to have cold hands , but it ’ s also a hazard , because workers ’ hands seizing up can lead to accidents and injuries due to slower reactions . As well as this , if workers have their body temperature reduced very frequently , this can cause illness over time , leading to more sick leave and low morale . So , provide gloves for employees that provide both warmth and agility . Communicate to people that it ’ s important to keep their gloves on at all times , and this is especially important when climbing scaffolds or ladders , or operating equipment .
Then , instead of just buying reflective jackets , buy waterproof or fleece-lined ones . It ’ s useful to have one set of reflective clothing for summer , and one for winter . Encourage employees to wear at least three layers in the cold weather , as well as telling them how important it is to bring extra waterproof clothing in case anything gets wet .
Conduct regular safety checks
In the summer , the main worry when working outside is avoiding heat stroke and dehydration . But in the winter , the hazards are more numerous . To prevent your construction site becoming unsafe , it ’ s important to conduct regular safety inspections to check that equipment is working ( and placed in safe areas ), and that walkways and steps are gritted and not slippery . It ’ s easy for snow and ice to make scaffolding , steps , and walkways dangerous .
Placing additional signs around your site can also be helpful , as it draws attention to new hazards that are easily missed . For example , if there is an area that tends to ice over when the temperatures drop at night , adding a warning sign nearby can alert workers to being more careful there . It can also be useful to use signs to remind people of new protocols , such as turning off heaters .
Set realistic goals
Remember that it ’ s not viable or safe for workers to finish projects in the same amount of time that they would do during dry summer weather . It ’ s important to draw up realistic timetables that account for the fact that sites may be slippery , icy , and wet . Give teams more time to complete their tasks if necessary and tell your employees not to rush . Having workers tripping and injuring themselves on-site will only delay deadlines more , so it ’ s much more productive to keep to a safer pace .
www . zoro . co . uk
NEW HEIGHTS OF TOWER SAFETY
WernerCo is leading the way and taking steps in the tower industry with the roll out of the new EN1004-1 product standards . The changes , which will ensure all mobile access towers comply to create a safer working at height environment , will come into force in November 2021 following a 12-month transition period .
The standards will cover what materials , dimensions , design loads , safety and performance requirements mobile access towers should conform to . Including additions and clarifications of existing guidance , the key points of the revision ensure that there is a reduction in the distance between platform levels , more safeguards included on towers including additional windlocks on decks , scope for product innovation and new guidance on wind and gust loads .
WernerCo has created an online guide for all its customers to explain what the changes mean and how they will affect users , it will also explain what users should look for when purchasing new equipment .
For information on the changes visit : www . bossaccesstowers . com / EN1004