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With many parts of the country still under deep freeze, CMs should take the time to remind crews about safety standards and precautions for cold weather construction work.

If your company took the time early on in the season to educate teams and sufficiently stock supplies, then you may be in good shape until the end of the season. Even so, you never know when Mother Nature will unleash a late winter storm, so call in the crews from the cold for a safety review and to restock supplies.

Check Winter Gear

Cold weather gear takes a beating from salt, wind, freezing rain and frigid temps. Have crews check their outdoor gear for rips and other signs of excessive wear that can reduce the thermal effectiveness. This includes hats, gloves, outer jackets and pants as well as thermal liners. If fabric cannot be repaired, the product should be replaced. Bonus: Purchases at this time of year will be less expensive and the gear will be in great shape for next season.

Routine Maintenance

While it goes without saying that every vehicle with plows and snow equipment should be receiving regular tune-ups, when you’ve had an back-to-back storms, those vehicular check-ups may fall off schedule. Even if you are on schedule, extreme winds and below zero-degree conditions put extra stress on vehicles and their moving parts. An extra maintenance check could keep you in business and keep crews safe.

Keep Crews Informed

It’s likely that you’ve added team members since your initial winter safety training. Make sure those new employees are up-to-date on winter safety standards for their own protection and for jobsite safety. Assign an experienced crew member to work alongside new workers. And make sure they keep extra sets of clothing (especially, hats, gloves, socks and boots) on hand because they will sweat, they will get wet, and they will be at risk for hypothermia and injury if they continue to work that way. All team members should be reminded how to identify signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Warm ‘Em Up

Crews need to warm their bodies before they head out to work. A morning group warm-up, or change-of-shift warm-up, is a great way to build team morale and make sure everyone’s muscles are ready for the hard labor in cold temps.

Restock Emergency Kits

Check on-site and vehicle emergency kit supply levels. Replace what’s missing or replace the entire kit, if needed. Kits should include ice scrapers, shovels, a sleeping bag, water, non-perishable snacks, tow straps, emergency flares, a backup battery or self-contained charger for cell phones, an emergency radio, a sand bag and tire chains.

CO Poisoning Precaution

If crews are on a site where fuel-burning equipment is present, they need to aware of the potentially deadly gas that is emitted. This includes fuel-powered heaters and generators that may be used indoors or in poorly ventilated areas. Make sure workers have appropriate PPE, such as a supplied-air respirator or personal breathing apparatus. Review with crews the signs of CO poisoning including headache, fatigue, nausea, drowsiness, chest tightness or changes in breathing. 

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