How to Prepare for Cold Weather Construction

Cold weather construction introduces a new set of challenges for construction companies including delays in scheduling and threats to worker safety. Supervisors must consider extreme cold, snow and ice, increased chances of slip and falls, etc. The jobsite must be properly prepared for cold weather construction with the necessary equipment and gear. This process includes prepping both the working environment and workers themselves to combat the cold conditions.

Our inventory includes a host of products that can help keep your jobsite safe and productive during the cold winter months including:

Scaffold Sheeting

Durable and reusable, scaffold sheeting encloses the jobsite providing protection from the wind and elements. This enclosure contains temporary heat to keep workers comfortable. The translucency of both types of sheeting we stock allows daylight to pass through while being both fireproof and water tight. The increased wind protection also better protects the public from jobsite debris.

Fall Protection

With an increase in ice and snow adding more weight to scaffolding and elevated walkways, it is essential that workers wear the proper fall protection gear on potentially unsteady surfaces. Also, for those workers working at greater heights, high winds are an added hazard during winter months. Fall protection gear is necessary to worker safety throughout the entire year, however, with the additional risks the cold weather brings, anchoring your team could never be more vital.

Heaters

It is imperative that employees are provided an area where they can take a break and warm up on the jobsite. Construction heaters can be used for this purpose and throughout the project for ground thawing and space heating. Operating heaters safely is of the utmost importance. Be sure to set heaters in a space with a clear 10- to 12-foot radius surrounding them. Propane heaters should also be placed on fire-resistant surfaces. Our inventory offers both gas and electric heaters from portable to towable sizes, for single rooms to multi-story sites.

Lighting

With less sunlight in the winter months, it is important to keep your jobsite well-lit for both safety and productivity. Light towers will help overcome this challenge to ensure projects stay on schedule. Portable light carts are often used for indoor jobs with their ultra-compact design and easy, one-person setup. For jobs in larger, outdoor areas, trailer-mounted lights provide powerful lighting and maintain stability in high winds.

Snow Removal

Snowfall can severely limit access to a project, affect the usability of equipment, etc. Our snow removal equipment fleet includes snow plows, snow blowers, skidsteers, ice scrapers, and more to clear a multitude of areas. OSHA requires that all drivers are properly licensed and comfortable with operating equipment in snowy, icy weather. It is the agency’s suggestion that operators use empty parking lots to practice winter driving.

Winter Gear

Wearing the proper gear to work in winter weather is of the utmost importance to worker safety, and supervisors should ensure all employees are wearing appropriate clothing. Workers should wear heavy jackets, gloves, hard hat liners, and boots—all necessary protection against hypothermia and frostbite. Boots with nonslip soles, in particular, are necessary to avoid slip and falls. Similarly, insulated gloves will keep hands warm and prevent workers from keeping their hands in their pockets, a deterrent to maintaining balance on icy surfaces.

Properly preparing for the impending New England weather is the first step to ensuring you will beat the winter with minimal issues and delays. Being equipped for cold weather construction means neither your project schedule nor the safety of your workers will be impacted. Contact our Pro Group experts to learn more about our winter equipment supply.