Everyone knows that winters in Northeast Ohio can be brutal, but contractors must continue to work. The least of which is the viability of the business; bills, payments on equipment, and other expenses do not stop when the warm weather ends. More importantly, the safety of your employees becomes even more important during the harsh winter. Several items discussed below should help you and your employees survive another winter.

Tips for Winter Construction

• Walks through the job-site should be conducted before workers arrive to uncover any possible dangers and search for damage since the job site was left. These issues must be addressed before any work begins.

• Proper dress is paramount during the winter months, insulated waterproof boots and insulated clothes are a must. Be sure that clothes are not so bulky that you cannot perform the job because this can create other hazards.

• Ladders and the use of scaffolding become more dangerous in the winter months, all rungs must be void of ice and snow, boots should be dry when climbing to prevent falls. Slips and fall on icy surfaces can have an adverse effect on your Workers’ Compensation premiums.

• During the coldest days, to keep work progressing, place portable heaters throughout the site where people are working. Use heaters with caution because they can be dangerous if not used properly! Portable heaters need to be inspected before the winter season hits. Place heaters on a sturdy fire-resistant surface, additionally, the area where the heaters are being used must be properly ventilated to permit the escape of fumes. Combustible material must be kept clear of the heater a minimum of 15 feet, and all gas cylinders must be properly stored.

• Every so often just traveling to each job site can become hazardous. Be sure to address the condition of company vehicles. Some items to check: are; tires in good shape, gas levels are kept above ½ a tank? Flares, food, and water should be kept in the vehicles just in case somebody becomes stranded.

Winter in NE Ohio is unavoidable, but to successfully make it to spring, some proactive planning can make it a profitable time of year for Artisan contractors.