Protecting Your Employees and Your Business from Winter Mishaps

As we move into the winter months, snow and freezing rain come down on a regular basis, not to mention the unpredictable weather patterns that are becoming more and more common. To avoid putting you and your employees at risk of slips, falls, hypothermia, or worse, seasonal businesses must be well-prepared to stay ahead of the game when it comes to winter-related injuries and accidents.

Safety concerns are particularly high in the construction industry, even when the weather is pleasant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slightly more than one-third of the construction deaths were due to slips and falls. Nearly all deaths were attributed to falling from a high level and about 41% of all fatal slips and falls occurred within the construction industry.

It’s common for workers to get minor injuries such as cuts and bruises after a fall, but a bad fall can also result in fractured or broken bones or even death.

When one or more workers get an injury due to winter weather conditions, it can result in:

• • Decreased productivity
• • Increased costs to replace employees
• • Overtime for current employees
• • Reputational damage to your business

It is in the best interests of your business to do everything you can to create a culture of winter safety among your employees and provide the best possible working conditions during inclement weather. The best time to start your winter weather preparedness plan is before you need it. Here are some of our top tips to get your winter safety plan started.

Winter Safety Tips for Excavators

When we think about excavators, we tend to think they only work during spring, summer, and fall; however, construction projects continue all year round regardless of the weather.

If you own a paving/excavation business:

• • • Store machinery indoors to prevent snow and ice from accumulating on the surface and causing a slip hazard.
    • Warm up equipment before taking it to a job site to prevent parts and equipment from locking up, and check batteries to be sure they are charged.
    • Ensure workers are well-rested, as it is dangerous to operate heavy equipment when exhausted.
    • Check fluids and use winter-ready lubricants for equipment.
    • Use additives to the fuel to prevent it from gelling, keep fuel tanks full, and take steps to stop DEF from freezing.
    • Check the air in the tires as they lose air in colder temperatures.
    • Inspect equipment daily for cracks on tires, belts, and hydraulic hoses.

If a mishap does happen, be sure your business is adequately protected with grading and excavating insurance.

Winter Safety Tips for Tree Trimmers

The colder months are prime time for tree trimmers for several reasons. Winter is the best time to prune trees to produce more fruit for the following year. It is easier for tree trimmers to see dead trees and branches once the leaves have fallen. Moreover, climbers have easier access to the trees, pests are dormant, and equipment can get in easier with less foliage to deal with.

If this is a busy season for you, be sure to:

• • Postpone tree trimming or cutting jobs during strong winds, intense cold, and during snowstorms.
  • Require tree trimmers to wear boots that provide traction on snow and ice. Boots should have low, wide heels, and they should fit properly.
  • Supply warm work gloves to keep tree trimmers’ hands warm.
  • Allow workers extra time to get to job sites and complete jobs, as winter road conditions or site conditions can be more treacherous.
  • Require tree trimmers to wear helmets, leg protection, face shields, and safety glasses.
  • Require earmuffs or ear plugs to protect hearing.

When tree cutters get injured, specialty insurance for arborists and tree services can save your business.

Preventing Hypothermia and Frostbite

Excavators, construction workers, and other trade workers are subject to hypothermia and frostbite while working outside in freezing temperatures. Therefore, employers must take precautions to prevent cold-related injuries to workers who must work outside for long periods.

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce. This condition causes a body’s temperature to drop below 95 degrees, which is very dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that hypothermia affects the brain, which means affected individuals may not be unable to move well or think clearly. Severe cases of hypothermia can even lead to death.

Be sure your employees are aware of the symptoms of hypothermia:

• • Exhaustion
  • Shivering
  • Confusion
  • Memory loss
  • Slurred speech
  • Drowsiness

When workers are out in sub-freezing temperatures, they are also at risk of frostbite, a condition where the skin and bodily tissues become frozen. Johns Hopkins Medical Center states that frostbite can cause permanent damage or even amputation.

Excavators, tree trimmers, and other workers in the trades are most at risk of frostbite on their noses, cheeks, ears, chins, fingers, and toes. In the early stages of frostbite, workers may have pain or redness on their skin, or it may start to feel numb. The skin may turn white or grayish-yellow and may feel waxy or firm.

Help keep workers safe from frostbite by:

• • Sending workers out to job sites at the warmest times of the day.
  • Postponing work during days when temperatures are extreme.
  • Scaling back physical demands for workers on the coldest days.
  • Adding extra workers or relief workers when necessary to get jobs done without overexposing them to extreme temperatures.
  • Ensuing workers have warm liquids to drink on the job site.
  • Providing a warm shelter or vehicle where workers can briefly warm up.

Treating Hypothermia and Frostbite

Your winter employee safety training program should include steps for how employees can treat hypothermia and frostbite on the job site. If you or one of your employees believe they have hypothermia and/or frostbite, take the person to a warm shelter or vehicle immediately and remove any damp clothing. Warm the chest, head, neck, and groin areas using dry blankets, towels, jackets, or clothing until the person is able to travel to the hospital.

That being said, the above is just general information and should not be considered medical advice. It’s not a substitute for a professional consultation with a qualified medical provider. If you ever have any medical concerns, call 911 or head to the hospital right away.

Final Thoughts

The construction trades carry greater safety risks than most other occupations on a good day. Certain weather conditions increase those risks exponentially, especially snowy, icy, or windy conditions.

Trade businesses risk the health and safety of their employees as well as financial and reputational risks for the company when they do not take the necessary precautions for working during the harsh winter months.

Because of increased risks during winter, excavating companies, tree service companies, and other businesses in the trades must have the proper insurance. NIP Group specializes in insuring the trades. Learn more at NIPGroup.com or contact us today to find out how the right insurance can protect business owners and their employees all year.