Cold Weather Safety Tips for Outdoor Workers

Cold Weather Safety Tips for Outdoor Workers

Spring might be on the way, but for the next several weeks, many parts of the country still will be dealing with winter weather that includes extremely low temperatures, large amounts of snowfall and bitter winds. While offering them an opportunity to warm up with a hot cup of cocoa after being outside is nice, if your workers are exposed to the winter elements it’s important to ensure they are protected at all times. Even if they’re only outside for a short period of time, the risk of injury increases when they are not prepared.

Common Winter Weather Hazards – and How to Keep Outdoor Workers Protected

OSHA has identified some of the most common cold weather hazards as the following:

Slips and falls due to snow or ice.

Working outdoors in cold weather can mean walking on slippery pavement or loading docks. Plus, employees may track in snow, ice and mud as they enter buildings. Keep walking surfaces as clear of snow and ice as possible by using deicer immediately following a storm. Employees should wear proper footwear that is not only well-insulated and water resistant, but that also has thick, rubber soles with good treads. If working on icy walking surfaces is unavoidable, or likely, slip-on metal cleats may be a good footwear accessory to consider.

Cold stress from exposure to cold air temperatures.

When an employee’s skin temperature decreases, eventually the internal body temperature decreases, too, causing conditions like frostbite or hypothermia.

Whenever possible, schedule outdoor tasks for the warmest part of the day and provide heated areas out of the wind to use during break periods so workers have ample time to recover from the cold. Additionally, employees should wear layers of clothing to protect them from the elements, including an inner layer of clothing that can absorb moisture and an outer layer of consisting of a waterproof, windproof and durable coat. Make sure they also wear insulated hats, thick gloves, wool socks and well-fitted boots.

Loss of power and communication disruption.

During a winter storm, it’s not uncommon for many facilities to lose power, which often can lead to a disruption in communication practices. You wouldn’t want your valuable employees to show up on a job site that could be dangerous, so set up a phone tree with employees so they can be made aware of power outages that could impact their work for the day.

Winter driving.

Icy road conditions are responsible for 24 percent of all weather-related vehicle crashes, with 15 percent occurring when it’s snowing or sleeting. If driving is an essential part of your employees’ roles, they should watch the weather forecast to stay on top of any potential storms on the way and plan their routes accordingly.

While it’s impossible to control the condition of the roads, making smart decisions and being properly prepared can help reduce the risk of accidents. It’s a good idea to pack a winter-survival kit in vehicles, so if the vehicle slides off the road or becomes stuck in a snow bank, occupants of the vehicle can survive until help arrives.

Shoveling snow and/or using snow blowers.

While shoveling snow can be extremely taxing on the body and lead to dehydration and back injuries, snow blowers can also be dangerous to outdoor workers. They frequently cause lacerations or even amputations, and can also lead to electric shock when not grounded properly. Workers should take frequent breaks from shoveling and rest in a warm area. They should also understand proper shoveling techniques, like pushing snow instead of lifting it whenever possible and bending and lifting from the legs, not the back. When using snow blowers, never attempt to clear a jam by hand.

Instead, after turning it off, wait for all moving parts to stop, and then use a long stick to clear debris or jams. Also ensure all powered equipment is properly grounded before using.

Downed power lines and trees.

It should always be assumed that downed power lines are energized, so only qualified workers should go anywhere near them, especially because the moisture from snow can reduce the effectiveness of equipment designed to protect from electrocution.

Make sure to establish a safe distance from any damaged power lines, including those around fallen trees, and report incidents immediately to properly-trained electrical workers.

Working at heights.

Another common winter weather hazard involves those employees who are required to work on roofs or other high surfaces. A roof may be structurally unsafe due to the weight of the snow or ice covering it. Workers are also at risk of hazards like walking on unseen skylights, increased slippery surfaces or overhead power lines. It’s always important to determine if additional equipment is needed to remove snow or ice from heights, like aerial lifts or non-slip safety boots, as well as properly training all outdoor workers on how to use them. Whenever possible, reschedule roof or other high work until snow and ice are not present.

Loss Control from AmTrust Financial AmTrust’s Loss Control Department knows that access to the right safety resources and commercial property safeguards are keys to a successful business. We can give you the individual attention you deserve, identifying specific hazards and offering recommendations that fit your operation. For more information about our small business insurance solutions please contact us today.

Article Source:https://amtrustfinancial.com/blog/loss-control/protecting-workers-winter-weath er-hazards