How to Prepare Your Site and Crew for Winter Work

Winter is coming... along with extreme weather and environmental conditions, which can greatly impact the productivity of companies with labour-intensive, outdoor operations. And although no one can control Mother Nature, we all have control over how we prepare for these types of conditions.

Being prepared for winter conditions can increase worker efficiency and decrease the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries. Business owners, project managers, site supervisors, and crew members all benefit from collective efforts to adequately prepare their worksites and their crews for winter conditions.

When it comes to preparing your crew for winter working conditions, there are three key environmental factors to be aware of: air temperature, air movement, and humidity.

Did you know: According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than dry air.

These environmental factors can typically be counterbalanced with proper insulation, physical activity, and a balanced work/rest schedule (among other winter preparedness practices, as we cover further down in this article). Failing to properly prepare for cold weather work puts workers at a higher risk for cold stress and related illnesses and injuries.

Overcoming Cold Stress Factors — Personnel Preparedness

Cold stress generally refers to cold-related illnesses and/or injuries a person may suffer when they can no longer maintain a normal internal body temperature. Frost bite and hypothermia are among the most common consequences of cold stress.

1. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Not all PPE is created equal. Clothing should be selected to suit the temperature, weather conditions, intensity and duration of activity, and job design.

2. Food and liquids

Working in cold temperatures demands more energy than working in warm weather for two key reasons:

1. 1. 1. Your body must work harder to create enough energy to maintain a normal internal body temperature.
      2. You're physically exerting more energy while you work because of the added weight and constraints of cold-weather PPE.

3. Buddy system

Early symptoms of cold-related illnesses — especially hypothermia — can be subtle and difficult to recognize in/on yourself. Work in pairs to help spot warnings signs such as confusion and sluggishness.

4. Education

Anyone involved in cold-weather work should know how to identify and manage symptoms of cold-related injuries and illnesses. They should also be informed about appropriate clothing and PPE, safe work practices, fitness requirements, and emergency procedures.

Preparing your workers is only one of many important preparation procedures that should take place as winter months approach. Equally as important is preparing your work site and equipment to accommodate winter work and personnel because no matter how dry, warm, fed, and hydrated your workers are, if your job site isn't adequately set up for the season, they still face great risk of injury to themselves and others.

Workplace Precautions and Considerations

In addition to preparing your worksite ahead of time (site prep usually begins in August), the following precautions are advised:

1. Adjust worker expectations

Make sure expectations on the job site account for added bulkiness and weight of winter clothing and PPE, as well as extra time that may be required to ensure workplace safety. Hiring a snow removal service to snow removal and deicing can help mitigate workers' risk of overexertion.

2. Minimize the risk of icy surfaces and tripping hazards

As much as possible, keep walkways and working surfaces at grade to help avoid the risk of slips and falls on slippery surfaces. Cover all cords and cables that cross walkways, and make sure all mats are laid flat and secured appropriately. Monitor and mop any spills or wet floors, which are especially common as workers flowing in and out of buildings can easily bring snow in with them.

Also keep in mind that daylight hours are significantly reduced during winter months, so visibility may be suboptimal. Ensure your worksite is equipped with adequate lighting so that workers can safely perform their duties.

3. Equipment design and operation

Cover metal handles and bars with thermal insulating material and ensure all machines and tools can be easily and safely operated while wearing mittens or gloves. Train your crew for operating equipment and driving vehicles in winter conditions, and ensure all operators are properly licensed.

4. Reinforce work/rest and warm-up schedules and have warm shelters on-site

If your crew will be working in below-freezing conditions, heated warming shelters such as tents or cabins should be made available, and an appropriate warm-up break schedule encouraged.

Additionally, work should be paced to avoid excessive sweating, as damp/wet clothing can be a catalyst for cold stress and related injuries and illnesses. If this type of intense physical labour is absolutely necessary, make sure your workers are given proper rest periods in a warm area and have them change into dry clothes.

5. Monitor air temperature and wind speed

The combined effect of these two factors is called "wind chill". Simply put, wind chill is the air temperature that would feel the same as the given combination of air temperature and wind speed and can be used as a guideline to help prepare for cold weather conditions.