At E.A.S.E, we’ve had an incredible summer, but with the longer and warmer days drawing to a close, we understand the importance of being prepared for the cold months ahead.
When it comes to getting sites prepared for the winter, there’s no better time to start than now, that’s why we’ve put together a short list of essentials to consider to ensure your sites are running safely, efficiently and with a crew of warm and happy workers.
4 Important Measures To Take When Temperatures Drop
- Site Preparation
With temperatures dropping, walkways may become extremely slippery and hazardous because of the likelihood of snow and ice. One way to tackle this is to make sure salt and grit bins are filled ahead of time and ready to use, reducing the risk of workers slipping, falling and injuring themselves.
Areas to pay extra attention to when gritting and salting surfaces are those used frequently, for example, walkways, scaffold platforms, steps and ladders.
- Warm Protective Clothing
To further reduce the risk of injury, we strongly advise all of our engineers working for extended periods on-site to swap their high-visibility vests for jackets. Preferably fleece-lined for extra warmth and protection without compromising visibility. Other essential items of clothing that we recommend wearing include waterproofs, thermals, hats, gloves, insulated boots and socks – a good, thick pair of socks.
Not only will layering up reduce the risk of developing serious medical conditions, but it’ll also keep morale high, two key factors to keep your workforce on-site. And, you know what they say, many hands make light work. Establishing what our workers should wear in these conditions guarantees our deadlines are completed efficiently, safely and on time.
BONUS: As prepared as you feel you may be, we’re based in the UK, where the weather changes rapidly, and you never know what you’ll be met with. That’s why bringing extra layers is always a good decision. Nobody wants to spend their day walking around with soggy feet, so keeping a spare pair of socks and boots in the car will always pay off.
- Take Your Breaks
To ensure workers perform their duties safely and to the best of their ability, we advise and encourage employees to take regular breaks inside to warm up if needed. Taking the time to rest and recover helps to increase productivity, safe working and boost overall morale on-site.
- Conduct Safety Checks
Along with the safety measures listed above, it’s also imperative to check that heaters in all vehicles are working and arrange repairs if they aren’t. It’s also worth placing more signs around the site, drawing attention to potential hazards, such as ice-prone areas when temperatures drop at night.
Despite the negative connotations often associated with working outdoors, particularly when it’s cold, here at E.A.S.E, we’re always up for a challenge and appreciate the chance to tackle all kinds of projects, regardless of the scale and weather conditions.
If you’re seeking Site Engineers who are willing to brave any conditions in order to deliver exceptional results for your project, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can give us a call today at 01603 211808 or leave us a message to get started.
