COLD WEATHER SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Some days, Mother Nature does her damnedest to keep you inside, but you know the job still has to get done.

When you work construction in the cold, you need the right knowledge and the right gear to keep yourself safe and working hard. Here's a checklist of safety practices for construction workers in extreme cold conditions.

Make a Plan for Cold Stress Emergencies

Cold is the enemy of safety and productivity. Cold is a killer, literally. Cold weather can limit your productivity on the job, but it's not an overstatement to say that cold conditions can also be a threat to life an limb on the job.

Cold stress, and cold stress injuries such as frostnip and frostbite, trench foot and hypothermia should be taken seriously by construction workers on wintertime jobsites. It’s important to have response procedures ready to roll if there’s a cold-related health emergency.

Some conditions, like frostbite, usually need medical attention from a professional. Others, like frostnip, can probably be treated on-site if you have a warm place to go. So read up on first aid for cold-related injuries, stock first aid and winter survival kits in all of your company vehicles and have an in-depth plan for how to transport an injured person to the nearest doctor or hospital.

De-Ice and Prep the Jobsite

A construction site should have special preparations in cold weather. Before work starts, use rock salt or de-icer to melt ice on walkways and clear snow from the ground and rooftops. Make sure there are walkable paths, laying some gravel down if you need to.

Provide Warming Spaces & Regular Warming Breaks

Any cold-weather job site needs a designated place where workers can easily get warm. Whether you’re applying first aid or just taking a coffee break, it’s important to provide workers with a warm place to escape the cold unless they’re working.

Every employee on the job site should be taking frequent breaks to warm up—some experts even recommend breaks as often as every 20 to 30 minutes if it’s really cold.

Tents and trailers are popular forms of pop-up shelters for warmth. Even vehicles can do the trick in a pinch, though you don’t want to rely on them too much. A big part of staying warm is staying dry, so make sure your chosen shelter seals out rain and snow.

Require Adequate Layers of Cold Weather Clothing

Most construction projects start with laying a foundation and building up from there. That’s how your cold-weather gear should work, too.

Build your armor against the cold by putting on multiple layers of protection, including a moisture-wicking base layer, and insulated mid-layer such as a hoodie and a weatherproof outer layer such as a jacket or coveralls.

Require Insulated Safety Toe Boots & Thermal Footwear

It's a given that construction workers need safety toe boots. But in the winter, steel toe caps can conduct cold from the ground or from frozen concrete right into the feet.

From frostbite to trench foot, letting cold sneak into a boot is dangerous to a worker’s feet. Make sure you provide, or require workers to provide, insulated work boots with composite toe caps that don't conduct cold into the toes. You'll also want to require non-slip soles made for walking on freezing surfaces, waterproof materials that lock out water from puddles or working in the constant spray of a hose, as well as thermal socks that wick away sweat and moisture to keep feet dry and warm.

You can also use RefrigiWear Comfort Ratings to find the right level of insulation for your working conditions and activity level.

Require Work Gloves that Can Handle the Cold

Well-insulated gloves are a must and RefrigiWear has options including ultra-thick leather work gloves or impact protection gloves.

If you have to operate a touchscreen or a keypad, it’s also important that you have enough dexterity to work without taking your gloves off. Check out our selection of touchscreen gloves or our exclusive collection of Key-Rite gloves that make device operation a cinch.

Require High-Quality Headwear

Your jobs takes brains. It’s important to keep yours safe. Proper headwear is another must-have for construction workers on a cold-weather jobsite.

A classic beanie or insulated cap can go a long way toward keeping your head warm and dry. If you’re worried about extreme wind levels, a full-face balaclava might give you better protection.

Your Team Can Outwork Winter

Mother Nature will try to take you down. If you’re gonna outwork her, make sure your jobsite is fully prepared. Follow our tips to work safely in cold weather, like drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration, packing an extra change of base layer clothes in case you get wet and, since the cold puts stress on your immune system, sanitizing hands often to avoid getting sick.

No matter what the thermometer says, the job’s still gotta get done. If you follow these steps and equip yourself with the right gear, nothing will slow you down. Now get out there and show the cold who’s boss.