Preparing for winter

It’s interesting how we all recognise the discomfort of the cold, yet rarely do we consider its effects on us while we work.

The effects of the cold range from increased risk of injury, reduced work rate and quality, to greater potential for damage to plant and equipment.

Even single digit temperatures can have a wide range of potentially harmful effects. Also, the degree of coldness can be underestimated if other factors such as wind chill are not considered.

How can you help prevent yourself and your employees from the adverse effects of harsh winter conditions?

Consider the following points when protecting yourself and your employees from severe winter conditions:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Clothing and other PPE should be appropriate to the weather conditions, as well as the level and duration of the task. Particular PPE you could consider includes:

• Layers – Clothing should be worn in multiple layers; the air between the layers of clothing provides better insulation. Layering also allows easier adjustment as temperatures change. Being too hot is just as challenging as being too cold. • Fibres – Materials such as polypropylene and polyesters are much better than cotton. Cotton tends to dampen faster and increase the chill effect by robbing body heat.

Many technical fabrics are available which draw moisture away from the skin. • Outer layers – Jackets should be rain- and wind-proof, and allow for easy opening and removal. They should also be able to close off and open at the waist, neck and wrists to help control heat and excess sweating. Always make outer layers high-visibility. • Hat – A merino wool or polypropylene cap worn under a hard hat can reduce excessive heat loss. Heavy or thick

‘beanies’ should be avoided as they will affect the fit and effectiveness of the hard-hat.

• Hand protection – Gloves should be worn but note that these can be bulky and/or restrictive, affecting a worker’s manual dexterity. Any comfort or manual handling issues may result in the worker removing the gloves, so try to fix these concerns to ensure that safety does not become compromised. • Footwear – Modern safety footwear is generally well padded, insulated and made from materials such as leather which allows the boots to ‘breathe’.

Training Workers and supervisors should be trained in recognising the symptoms of the effects of cold exposure. Workers should be informed about PPE, safe work practices, and emergency procedures in case of injury. While working in the cold, a buddy system should be used. Look out for one another and be alert for the symptoms of hypothermia.

Equipment The risk of cold injury can be minimised by good equipment choice and design. Plant, equipment and tools should be designed so that they can be operated without having to remove items of PPE. The more complex or fiddly the activity is, the greater the likelihood that PPE will be removed during the process.

If a worker cannot be adequately protected from the effects of cold, work must be suspended, or work regimes modified, to remove the risk of harm.

It’s not about working harder – it’s about working smarter.

Site Safe NZ is a not-for-profit, industry led organisation that promotes a culture of safety in the New Zealand construction and related industries. To find out more about Site Safe, how we can assist you, or to talk to one of our Safety Advisors, call 0800 SITE SAFE or visit www.sitesafe.org.nz.