Here at Midland Wrecking Inc., we understand that when you work construction or cleanup, you’re always working, come rain, snow or shine. That means that construction workers have always had to double as meteorologists and outdoors-people, keeping a close eye on the weather, and making sure to always be prepared with the correct gear and clothing.
If you’re experienced, this is all probably old hat to you—and working in 10 inches of snow probably seems just as normal as working when it’s sunny and 70. But there are always new people cycling in, and it’s important to keep an eye on them and to continually refresh their knowledge on winter safety, as there are hazards on the jobsite in winter that you won’t face during any other time of the year.
Increased worker fatigue means a decrease in focus and clear thinking
Even when you prepare fully for the cold, you will feel more fatigued quicker. Your body constricts your blood vessels when it’s too cold, meaning you actually get less blood and oxygen to your limbs throughout the workday, which noticeably increases your physical fatigue. This leads to a team-wide decrease in focus and clear thinking. Most of the time, your experience will pull you through, but when you add it all up, that much fatigue in your ranks can drastically increase the likelihood of an otherwise avoidable workplace accident or injury.
To mitigate the problems of increased fatigue and decreased focus, make sure to provide a warming area, give your crew plenty of breaks, schedule them for shorter hours, if possible, and keep them stocked with warm drinks (coffee, tea or hot water) and snacks. All of this will help, but keep an eye out for anyone who seems excessively fatigued.
Winter creates a variety of hazards not common in other seasons
Snow, ice and slush are their own dangerous obstacles when you do construction site debris cleanup in Kansas City, increasing the likelihood of human error at every stage of the debris cleanup process. But beyond that, winter also commonly downs tree limbs, power lines and other objects that could be dangerous to your team. Put salt, sand and gravel on ice when you can, and make sure to keep a closer eye on your worksite than you might otherwise, to ensure no one gets hurt from falling debris or a downed power line.
Winter is harder on your vehicles
Finally, winter makes your vehicles, as a rule, more likely to have an issue on the job site. As such, winter requires that your team visually inspect and regularly maintain your vehicles more often than you would in other seasons. This can be an additional expense, and if you haven’t already incorporated it into your budget, you might feel tempted to cut corners, but don’t. Vehicle failure is one of the most common causes of winter worksite injury.
Learn more about debris cleanup in Kansas City
Midland Wrecking Inc. has been performing debris cleanup in Kansas City for 30 years. We have a great track record for being one of the most reliable debris cleanup contractors around, treating both our workers and our customers with the utmost respect. If you’re in need of debris cleanup, please give us a call today to learn more!