Safety measures at work during winter time

Utilities and construction projects pose a severe danger even in the best conditions. Winter weather adds more hazards, such as slippery surfaces, high winds, and cold. New workers who are not accustomed to working in the cold and returning to work after vacation are particularly susceptible to work-related injuries during the winter months.

You can't control the weather, but utilities and construction companies can control how they prepare for it. Read on for tips to help prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and deaths in workplaces affected by winter weather.

How to prevent work accidents and injuries in the winter

Suspend non-emergency work in dangerous weather.

Utility and construction companies must suspend all non-emergency work when weather conditions are dangerous. Winter hazards include blizzards, ice storms, and winter storms (heavy sleet, snow, ice, a blizzard, or a combination of events). This includes working indoors, as workers can be injured or killed on their way to work due to such conditions.

Stay current with the weather by tuning in to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio. This is a nationwide network of radio stations that continuously transmit weather information from the nearest office of the National Weather Service.

Some outdoor activities cannot be stopped in cold weather. To prevent workplace injuries in these cases, utility and construction companies should follow the work and warm-up guidelines set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).

The ACGIH Work and Warm-Up Guidelines provide guidance on the maximum work period, and the number of breaks workers should take during a four-hour shift, depending on air temperature and wind speed. For example, if the temperature is between 25 and 29 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind speed is 10 miles per hour, workers must work no more than 40 minutes at a time and take at least four 10-minute warm-up breaks.

To prioritize the safety of construction workers and utilities and to maximize work time in cold and windy conditions, schedule jobs that expose workers to cold weather during the warmest part of the day, usually in the morning. Also, whenever possible, use technical controls, such as infrared heaters and windshields.

Teach workers how to dress in cold weather.

OSHA does not require employers to provide their workers with ordinary clothing used solely for weather protection, such as winter coats or jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, or hats. However, effective worker safety risk management in winter conditions includes educating workers on the proper clothing for the cold.

Also, be aware that, while not required, companies can provide their workers with winter gear. This is the most efficient way to ensure workers are appropriately dressed for the winter weather.

Train workers on cold stress.

Cold stress is a condition in which the body cannot warm up, sometimes leading to severe colds and injuries. The three types of cold stress are trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia.

Promote safe winter driving.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on the 2019 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, traffic accidents were the leading cause of fatal workplace accidents in 2019, accounting for approximately two out of every five deaths. Transportation and construction companies cannot control road conditions but can prevent workplace accidents by preparing their workers to drive safely in winter weather.

To do this, first, make sure workers have the proper licenses for all vehicles they may be driving. If workers visit multiple locations per day, plan for extra travel time, so they are not tempted to go faster than necessary. Then teach workers to recognize the dangers of driving in winter weather and have them practice driving in winter weather in daylight. For example, you could hold a winter-going safety booth where workers learn how to stop vehicles sliding on ice in a controlled environment.

Be prepared to slip, trip, and fall.

Slipping on ice in the winter may seem inevitable, but that doesn't mean utility and construction companies shouldn't do everything they can to prevent falls.

Always clear snow and ice from walking surfaces first, and apply de-icer after a snowfall or winter storm. Also, train workers to wear boots or overshoes with good rubber tread, take short steps and walk more slowly to respond quickly to changes in traction.

During the winter months, the danger of construction and utility work increases. To prevent workplace accidents that result in injury or even death, construction and utility companies must stop work in hazardous winter conditions and follow the best practices established by OSHA and other government agencies to keep workers safe.