No matter what season it is, working in construction is a dangerous job. However, it’s especially treacherous during the winter due to low temperatures and slippery conditions. With this in mind, our Bucks County workers compensation lawyer is here to give you some tips for staying safe and free of injuries while working on an outdoor construction site in the winter:
- Make sure snow and ice are removed before getting to work – To limit your risk of slipping or falling while working, you should never start a project until the snow and ice have been cleared from the site. For added traction, it’s also a good idea to spread some kitty litter on walkways that may be slippery. While it may seem like a hassle to do all of this before starting a job, it’s far less inconvenient than sustaining a workplace injury!
- Stay away from caffeine – While you may be tempted to drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages throughout the day to help you stay energized, it’s hazardous to do so when you’ll be out in the cold. That’s because caffeine increases your heart rate and makes you feel warmer than you actually are, thereby affecting your ability to judge when you need to take a break from the cold. Therefore, you should stick to water and decaffeinated drinks while on the job.
- Take frequent breaks in a warm area – When working in harsh winter weather, it’s essential to take short breaks often to give your body an opportunity to gain back some heat. Whether you sit in a warm car or enter a heated building for a few minutes, you should be sure to get out of the cold a few times per hour. To warm yourself up faster, drink some caffeine-free hot tea while you’re resting.
- Check the site for hazards each time you visit – During the winter, items such as downed power lines and fallen trees are to be expected. To ensure you’re prepared to handle these types of hazards during a job, be sure to thoroughly check your construction site each time you arrive.
- Inspect construction vehicles and prepare them for emergencies – Before driving a construction vehicle, do an inspection to make sure it is fully functional and ready to take on wintry conditions. In addition, you should equip every vehicle with the following items in case of an emergency: a shovel, an ice scraper, a snow brush, a flashlight with extra batteries, a blanket, snacks and water, a tow chain and emergency flares.
By heeding this advice from our workers compensation attorney in Bucks County, you’ll be far less likely to be injured while doing outdoor construction work this winter.
Need a Workers Compensation Lawyer? Contact Us!
In the event that you sustain an injury while on the job this winter, call on the Heslin Law Firm for legal guidance. For more than 30 years, we’ve been known as the workers compensation lawyer Bucks County employees can depend on. Now, we’re ready to help you file all of the necessary paperwork for your case, decide whether you should accept a lump sum or weekly/bi-weekly benefits, etc.
To schedule a free consultation, give us a call today at (215) 332-0300. And if you’re interested in learning about how to prevent concussions while playing winter sports, be sure to read last week’s post. Our Bucks County workers compensation attorney looks forward to helping you seek the money you are owed should you be injured at work this winter.