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.

LB White Heaters: The Classic Forced Air Heater

We're amidst another cold winter this December with plenty of cold still ahead.  Many of us like to wait 'til the last minute, or until we can barely stand the cold, to buy a heater to keep warm during the winter months.  It's okay, don't hesitate any longer, for larger spaces and a variety of heating applications, LB White has got you covered.

In particular, I find a lot of people interested in the LB White Classic units.  Although they are designed for swine heating, many use them for construction sites or warehouse heating applications as well.  With two available fuel options, natural gas and propane, as well as three btu output ratings - 60,000, 115,000, and 170,000 - the LB White Classic Swine Heater gives you ultimate versatility and mobility on your job. 

Just an idea as we're entering the new year and the deepest cold.  I'll be posting a more detailed industrial heating comparison sometime next week, so stay posted.  If you have any specific questions about LB White or any of their heaters, let me know.