Spring Into Construction Safety!

Spring is here! With the weather warming up, there are a lot of construction projects that will be resuming or launching. Those of us who are safety-conscious know that the changing seasons require us to revisit our work practices. In other words, now is the time to refresh your workers on safety procedures and policy. It is also a good idea to remind them of the potential hazards that come with the spring time.

The Right Safety Boots

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for construction jobs, and proper use of PPE is what helps keep workers safe. For safety boots specifically, it is important to ensure that you are choosing the right ones for the job. If you have an outdoor construction job, make sure you have waterproof boots to keep your feet dry. They should be in good repair and have sufficient traction to support workers in slippery ground conditions.

In the spring, water tends to build up, and with the risks of spring weather (high winds and thunderstorms), you need to be protected from falling power lines and lightning. If you are picking up a new pair of boots for the season, consider looking for the orange patch with an Omega symbol. This means the soles of the boots offer resistance to electric shock. To learn more about safety boot symbols and what they mean, check out this comprehensive guide on the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) website.

Take a Minute for Safety

You need to make sure your equipment is in working order for the long season ahead, but you should also pay close attention to how you are working with and handling your tools. Employees should be made aware of safety precautions upon hiring. For returning or existing members of your crew, this is the perfect opportunity to provide a “refresher”. Take a minute to review procedures and guidelines with them. Also, remind them the importance of taking it slow. Spring conditions cause slippery and sometimes unstable ground. At first, jobs may take a little longer, but in the long run it is better for the safety of your employees to continuously practice caution. This is especially true when dealing with new working conditions.

Secure Your Construction Fence

In the spring months we see a lot of high winds, which means there are a lot of wind-related incidents and injuries. It is important to take every measure possible to ensure the safety of your workers and the public. If you have construction fence installed around your site, you need to take measures to ensure the stability of the fence. Modu-Loc has many stability solutions that can accommodate a wide variety of requirements. We even wrote a blog post about finding the right stability solution for your site. 

Lightning Safety

Employees are vulnerable to lightning strikes when they work in open outdoor spaces, especially if their work takes them onto or near tall objects or conductive materials (think cranes and steel framework, for example). Remind workers of your protocols for inclement weather and lightning. The Government of Canada has many resources regarding lightning safety and precautions and best practices that you can use to develop your own lightning policy. You can find that information here.

We all look forward to spring for the warmer weather and lush greenery it brings. But a change in weather can also pose some challenges, especially on a construction site. The key is to ensure your employees are prepared and informed on how to work safely. Take a minute for safety, and your spring construction season will kick off without a hitch!