Tips for Winterizing Your Job Sites

Winters and cold temperatures can be extremely dangerous and cause injuries on job sites, yet many employers tend to overlook the issues and don’t prepare their worksite. It is critical for an employer to understand risks associated with workplace health and safety during the winter season to protect their interests and remain safe. Here are some tips for winterizing your job sites:

• Provide Proper Gear and Equipment – It is important that workers are always provided with the appropriate equipment for the job, especially during the winter. For instance, they must be provided gloves, hats, heavy coats, boots with nonslip soles, and other essentials. Proper gear will not only keep the workforce safe but also help to prevent frostbite and hypothermia, which are usually caused when skin is exposed to extreme cold for too long.

• Limit the exposure – It can be prudent and wise to limit the workforce’s exposure to the elements by scheduling outside work in shorter time periods when temperatures are low. Consider dividing large projects into a number of short assignments and tasks.

• Provide frequent breaks – Allow working staff to take frequent breaks in slightly warmer areas of the jobsite, especially to new workers to help them acclimate and build tolerance for working in colder environments.

• Review work sites on a regular basis – Work environments usually carry different risks due to debris or hazardous ground conditions; however, this risk is amplified during the winter season. Thus, worksites should be reviewed every day to ensure that snow and ice from the ground, overhangs, rooftops, or any other areas are clear. This proactive approach will help in preventing slip and falls and other accidents from taking place. It can be highly beneficial to hire an experienced Chicago risk management company to identify the risks that your company can potentially face.

• Examine vehicles every day – A routine inspection of your vehicles should be carried out to ensure they are functioning properly. All vehicles must also contain winter emergency kits which may include a shovel, snow brush, ice scraper, tow chain, emergency flares, snacks, water, and flashlights with extra batteries.

• Mark off restricted access areas – Whilemost dangers and hazards can be eliminated, some places present inherent dangers that cannot be completely eradicated. However, it is critical that those areas are properly marked as restricted or perhaps danger zones, so individuals aren’t involved in an accident that leaves them injured. These areas can be marked off by using floor marking tape, warning lines, warning flags, guardrails, and signage.

Working with a reputable risk management company such as SIA Insurance Group can be an invaluable resource to your company as SIA will help devise a comprehensive strategy to mitigate these risks. If you want to learn more about how we can help your business with our risk management solutions, contact SIA Insurance Group by calling (630) 325-4000 today.