Construction Blog

Construction Worker Safety in the Fall and Winter

Construction Worker Safety in the Fall and Winter

Although most people complain about all the construction that seems to appear during the summer months, construction (both concrete and outdoor) doesn’t stop just because the weather turns cold. And for workers who endure the cold winter months, safety becomes even more important. Working construction is always a dangerous job, but when normal working conditions are made more difficult by cold weather and decreased daytime hours, those dangers are even more present.

But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t work in the fall and winter, it just means that there are a few extra precautions we can take to overcome the cold and the darkness.

Overcoming the Cold

Working in the cold is uncomfortable, but not impossible. Here are a few tips to keep safe during the colder months of the year:

1. Layer—The threat of hypothermia is one of the biggest threats to winter construction safety. As a result, you need to learn the signs of oncoming hypothermia and always work in twos. Also, learn to layer your clothing so you can adjust your body temperature for different jobs and a range of temperatures so you don’t get too cold or too hot.
2. Heaters—Most companies and job sites will provide construction heaters for the winter months. There are a number of styles, like radiant heaters or forced air heaters. For example, LB White makes a wide range of heaters for construction sites that will run from wall outlets or from generators. When you use construction heaters, make sure you follow proper safety guidelines by not placing the heater too close to flammable materials or directly on plywood. When possible, elevate the heaters off the floor. And always make sure to crack a window (if working inside) in order to let out excess fumes.
3. Heating blankets—Also, if you work with concrete, make sure to use concrete curing blankets (like those made by Powerblanket), which will keep in the heat and moisture needed to help the concrete cure correctly, making it more durable and safer in the long-run.

Overcoming the Dark

Working in the cold, may be uncomfortable, but working the dark can be downright dangerous. Here are a few tips for proper lighting on the job:

1. Light towers and Light balloons—if you are working at night, in the early morning, or in the evening, lighting towers are a must. LED lighting towers are great because they provide an excellent amount of light with very little power; however, they can be bulky. For a lighter solution, you can try lighting balloons, which are more lightweight and portable. Either way, use the lighting solution that is best for your job and worksite in order to perform your job correctly and avoid accidents and injury.
2. Traffic Arrow Boards—One of the most dangerous parts of road construction is the traffic. In the dark, winter months that danger is magnified tenfold. Setting up reliable traffic arrow boards to clearly indicate where traffic should flow is a must if you are working on the roads.

All in all, construction safety in the winter is all about using the right equipment to overcome the dangers that cold and dark create. If you can use the proper equipment to keep you warm and help you see (and be seen), you’ll be less likely to get hurt or seriously injured.

As goes the Economy, so goes Construction.....

As goes the economy, so goes construction.

That industry mantra can sound either disheartening or hopeful depending on the current economic landscape.
No doubt, the recession hit hard – and few industries were hit harder than construction. In fact, in a study commissioned by Associated General Contractors, it said the recession and resulting housing and credit slump, has resulted “in one of the highest unemployment rates in any segment.”

But thanks to a slow, but steadily, improving economy, that’s all starting to change -- and it only takes a quick jaunt in downtown Salt Lake City to see the proof of the rejuvenation.

Nearly every corner of the major metro block is packed with cranes, cones and cement mixers. The city's hub is in the midst of one of the biggest revitalization projects in the nation. The story is the same for North Temple -- a revitalized shopping district and one of Salt Lake's major thoroughfares to the airport. And soon, the aptly-named 'Sugar Hole' in vintage Sugar House will become home to new retail shops and storefront luxury condos.

This trend was also confirmed on paper as, for the first time in six months, the nation’s construction industry added jobs in February. According to the March 4 employment report by the U.S. Labor Department, 33,000 jobs were created during the previous month.
But this is far from unexpected.

Fact is, buildings fall into disrepair. Roads buckle in the cold and potholes abound. As the population increases, so does the need to larger, better infrastructure and more housing options. As the economy continues to find its breath, these opportunities will grow expontentially.

So, while flurries of orange cones and traffic delays may inconvenience some commuters and pedestrians, their presence is indicative of a greater economic turnaround -- and the perennial security of the construction industry.

That’s where Construction Complete can help . As a premier supplier for professional construction tools and equipment, we can help you make the most of the economic upswing. By providing everything from custom tools to landscaping supplies to heaters, we can help you maximize your efficiency year-round. We understand your business needs and promise to continue to provide the expertise, fair pricing, timely delivery and custom solutions you need to excel.

So, take comfort. No, the construction industry is far from recession-proof. But it’s almost always at the forefront of recovery.

Let's Talk Concrete

Concrete’s versatility, durability, and economy have made it the world’s most used construction material. The U.S. uses about 260 million cubic meters (340 million cubic yards) of ready-mixed concrete each year. It is used in highways, streets, parking lots, parking garages, bridges, high-rise buildings, dams, homes, floors, sidewalks, driveways, and numerous other applications.

Specifying Cement for Use in Concrete

There are many different properties and applications of cements for use in concrete including; portland, blended, and hydraulic cements. To help determine which cement is most appropriate for your construction needs and to optimize mixture performance and economy it is important to know what is available… we’ve come along way from Joseph Aspdin’s patent in 1824!

When a cement is specified for a project, consideration should be given to the types of material available in that location. The specification should be flexible, allowing either portland or blended cements. Consideration should always be given to the use of locally available pozzolans and ground-granulated blast furnace slag, provided the desired concrete properties can be achieved. Ideally, the specification should allow any cement that meets the performance requirements of the project. Cements with special or unique properties should not be required unless absolutely necessary.

If no special properties are required

The specification should permit the use of Types I and II portland cement, blended cements, or any cement meeting the requirements of a type GU hydraulic cement. The use of pozzolans or slags should be permitted wherever possible. It may not be possible to use significant levels of pozzolans or slag (or Types S or P blended cements), in many applications because these concretes tend to set, harden, and gain strength at a slower rate, especially in cold weather.

Heat of hydration requirements –

Where moderate heat of hydration is required, Type II portland cement meeting the moderate heat option can be used, as well as a blended cement with the MH suffix, or any hydraulic cement meeting the requirements of Type MH. The temperature requirements of the concrete may also be met using other cements such as a Type I portland cement in combination with sufficient amounts of pozzolan or slag.

Low heat of hydration requirements can be met with a Type IV portland cement (although generally not produced in the U.S.). A portland-pozzolan cement meeting the low-heat option (Type P(LH) cement), or any hydraulic cement meeting the requirements of Type LH will also provide a low heat of hydration. Low heat can also be achieved by using suitable supplementary cement materials.

For more details about selecting the right cement type to prevent thermal stresses, see Portland Cement, Concrete, and Heat of Hydration (PL972).

Where sulfate resistance is required –

Moderate sulfate resistance can be provided by the appropriate portland or blended cement or by any hydraulic cement meeting the requirements of Type MS. The sulfate resistance of concrete can also be improved by the appropriate use of pozzolans or slag.

High sulfate resistance can be achieved with a Type V portland cement or any hydraulic cement meeting the requirements of Type HS. Many blended Type IS or IP blended cements will meet the requirements for high sulfate resistance, but there is no specific classification for these cements in ASTM C595. Sulfate- resistant concrete may also be met by using other cements such as a Type I portland cement in combination with sufficient amounts of appropriate pozzolans or slag.

High early strength requirements-

High early strength requirements can be met by either a Type III portland cement or a Type HE hydraulic cement. Blended cements containing highly reactive pozzolans such as silica fume may also meet the requirements for high early strength, although there is no specific classification for such a cement in ASTM C595.

Resistance to ASR-

When a potentially reactive aggregate is being used some level of protection against damaging ASR expansion may be achieved by specifying either the low-alkali option for portland cement, the option for low-reactivity with pyrex glass for blended cements, or by specifying any type of hydraulic cement that meets option R (which is also based on a performance test using pyrex glass). Resistance to ASR may also be conferred on a concrete by incorporating sufficient amounts of appropriate pozzolans or slag.

Some types of portland cement may not be readily available in all areas. Type I portland cement is usually furnished when a specific cement type is not specified. Type II cement is usually available, especially in areas of the country where moderate sulfate resistance is needed. Cement Types I and II represent about 90% of the cement produced. Some cements are designated as both Type I and II (Type I/II), meaning that they meet specification requirements for both types. Type III cement and white cement are usually available in larger metropolitan areas. Type IV cement is manufactured only when specified for particular projects (massive structures like dams), and therefore is usually not readily available. Type V cement is available only in particular regions where it is needed to resist high sulfate environments.

Blended cements are available in many regions of the United States but certain types may not be available in some areas. The properties conferred on concrete through the use of blended cements can usually be attained by combining normal portland cement with appropriate levels and types of supplementary cementing materials at the mixer.

When cements with special properties are not available, adjustments to the proportions and types of material in the concrete mixture can usually be made to attain the desired properties using available materials.

(Reprinted Courtesy of the Portland Cement Association)

Check out the myriad of products at www.constructioncomplete.com to assist you in completing your concrete project. Concrete buckets, concrete blankets, rebar cutter, power trowel, floor grinder — we can meet your needs with exceptional prices and product variety.