7 Tips to Prepare for a Busy Summer Construction Season
It’s going to be a busy 2022 construction season, now is the time to prep. This means having a full staff, inventory levels adjusted for increased workloads, and safety measures in place to protect the crew.
Safety is important in all seasons, but it’s especially critical on summer construction sites because of the dangers associated with heat and exhaustion. To complete tasks on time and within budget, you’ll need to look ahead and consider how to increase site safety while also reducing material and equipment costs during the busy season. Here are seven ideas to help you out.
1. Have A Construction Fan On Hand
Construction sites without air circulation might cause heat and air quality hazards, as well as unforeseen problems such as noise control and fire risks. Because employees are generally on construction sites for a brief period of time, a construction fan is particularly useful for generating continuous ventilation. Mobile fans may be used to help create safe, healthy, and productive working environments in any location.
Large-diameter overhead fans are an effective method of increasing air movement and energy efficiency in more long-term settings such as construction equipment and vehicle storage depots. Pro Tool carries both pedestal and portable construction fans from 24″ to 36″.
2. A Construction Site Air Conditioner Can Save the Day
Without the advantages that air conditioning provides on hot summer days, we’d still be living in the stone age. A portable air conditioner adds cooled air to construction sites, helping to balance the heat generated by equipment and human bodies. Pro Tool stocks a variety of construction site air conditioners with wheels so they may be readily relocated. We carry units from 13,200 to 21,000 BTUs (the higher the number, the more heat it removes from the room).
3. Ventilators and Dehumidifiers
Construction projects used to take 6-9 months, during which time the building materials would typically dry out via natural ventilation once the structure was completed. However, today’s construction work is much more efficient and faster. While construction fans and construction site air conditioners can help, dehumidification and ventilation are necessary to remove the extra water from the numerous building components before they can be utilized.
When it comes to construction crews, humidity is one of the most unbearable weather-related conditions. Workers will have trouble focusing and that will increase the opportunity for substandard work, or worse, accidents. Our job site ventilators and dehumidifiers can help increase the effectiveness of both material and personnel.
4. Increase Staffing
It’s difficult to find exceptional employees, so you need to be proactive and hire early. You’ll want a fully staffed team of competent and prepared individuals before starting new projects or tackling each item on your summer schedule. The key to having the greatest possible crew is to recruit early, giving your employees time to become trained and accustomed to the company culture before getting caught up in work. Workers with excellent job ethics and specialized abilities will be quickly hired, so keep that in mind when recruiting.
5. Get Ahead of Supply Chain Issues
We live in an age when everything is scarce, and construction, like every other industry, has seen a significant increase in new business making it harder to find the tools and materials you need. Also, prices have risen as a result of the increased demand and limited transportation infrastructure. This means you must be vigilant in purchasing the materials needed for success and have dependable suppliers like Pro Tool and Supply on your team to keep your jobs moving forward.
Make a point of double-checking your inventory for any items you’ll require when undertaking projects on a larger scale. After you’ve looked over what you already have, you may notice some items that need to be updated or sections of your inventory that need to be included. This is the ideal moment to make these purchases before they’re needed. Consider:
- Buying fasteners in bulk
- Taking advantage of any downturns in the lumber/steel markets.
- Assign the responsibility of inventory readiness to a qualified individual in your company.
6. Make Sure Your Equipment is Up-to-Date
Another crucial task to complete before beginning summer projects is to ensure that your equipment is up to date and ready to use. That starts with a thorough examination of your current equipment to verify that everything is in good working order.
- Install new saw blades on portable and permanent equipment.
- Service all tools powered by an engine.
- Check warranties and replace any tools that are too old to be dependable or consider renting them from Pro Tools.
7. Ensure the Safety of Your Team
When on construction or renovation sites, all employees should wear proper protective equipment (PPE) at all times. Workers in the line of traffic from automobiles, should wear high-visibility safety vests. The upper half of the body should be concealed by clothing that extends to the wrists. Shirts without sleeves, short pants, sweatpants, runners, sandals, and high-heeled or open-toed shoes are all examples of inappropriate attire. Other PPE may be required depending on the circumstances and possible dangers:
- Back belts
- Dust masks/face shields
- Gloves
- Hearing Protection
- Hand-wash Stations
For help finding the right job safety and climate control solutions for your team, our skilled technicians are always on hand. Request a Quote or call us at 1-866-405-2985 to speak with a Pro Tool & Supply representative for more information on our stock of construction dehumidifiers, ventilators, portable construction air conditioners, and fans.
