The winter season (cold and dark) has begun!

Snow in the backyard or ice on the rivers can be pleasant, but the winter weather can cause a lot of inconvenience during daily work. Fortunately, many inconveniences can be limited by wearing appropriate clothing. New techniques and modern materials ensure that employees have access to clothing that is tailored to the harsh winter weather.

During this period, the danger starts with the drive to and from the construction site or office, ice on roads, snow, poor vision, etc. Therefore, make sure the car is in order, clean the windows well and leave home on time. Haste, especially in winter, is a bad thing.

What are the dangers of winter conditions?

• Exposure to cold (hypothermia/frostbite);
• Poor accessibility of the workplace due to dark days (tripping hazard);
• Risk of slipping due to frozen/slippery surfaces;
• Traffic hazards.

Below are a number of measures described in the event of various hazards:

1. Prevent slipperiness and risk of slipping:
   • Provide de-icing aids;
   • Drain surface water with, for example, drainage, ditches, sewers and pumps;
   • Clear work areas of ice and snow;
   • Make sure that the scaffolding floors, ladders and stairs are free of snow and ice;
   • Make sure that the walking routes are free of snow and ice;
   • Plugging holes and potholes and levelling tracks;
   • Sprinkle preventively at the end of the working day (see tips).
     
     
2. ​​​​​​​Prevent hypothermia and frostbite
   • Wear winter clothing (workwear, thermal clothing, head coverings and gloves);
   • Wear multiple layers instead of 1 (thick) sweater;
   • Keep spare clothes in the car (e.g. if you have wet socks);
   • Drink hot drinks during breaks;
   • Heat the canteen;
   • In consultation, take an extra break to warm up;
   • Check if rooms are draught-free;
   • In case of rain, wear waterproof and/or vapour permeable overgarments.
     
     
3. Healths effects of cold
   • In case of frostbite, the frozen skin dies due to lack of blood flow;
   • Frost absence (wind chill -6°C).
     
     
4. Prevent freezing of material and equipment
   • Freezing can be prevented, for example, by installing a self-regulating heating cable along the pipe within the insulation.
   • The heater must be switched on when the pipe or water temperature is below 3 °C and switched off when the pipe or water temperature is above 5 °C. 
   • The electrical part must comply with NEN 1010.
     
     
5. Prevent collision hazards (even if you drive from home to work or vice versa)
   • Make sure that the windows of vehicles are free of ice and/or deposits;
   • Brake dosed;
   • Keep your distance;
   • Slow acceleration and easy driving
6. Avoid working in poorly lit environments
   • .Make sure you lighting is okay;
   • To reach the workplace, ''orientation'' lighting is necessary (stairwell, shafts and corridors);
   • In order to be able to work well in the workplace, work lighting is necessary.
   • Put the construction lights on a tripod;
   • Place the lights in such a way that you don't dazzle anyone in your area;
   • Check the construction light, it should be placed at a sufficient distance from flammable materials;
   • In crawl spaces, connect the lights to a safety transformer;
   • At the end of the day, make sure the workplace is tidy (cables, walkways, etc.). Tomorrow morning it will be dark again! 

Talk to each other about the following:

1. Do you ever work in poorly lit environments?
2. Do you report this to the manager and does the manager solve the problem?
3. Do you often feel too hot or too cold during work? And could this be easily solved?

Below some extra tips:

1. On the construction site, the roads and entrances to the workplace must be cleared and kept clear of snow and ice. The same applies to your workplace, including the racks, landings, etc.
2. Be careful with materials and pipes, because everything becomes brittle in case of frost. Therefore, do not throw things, the chance of breaking becomes very high.
3. Working on ladders and stairs is now even more risky. For example, secure ladders properly!
4. First, explore the workplace.
5. Keep in mind that thicker clothing will obstruct movement.
6. If you no longer have feeling in your hands or feet because of the cold, but still continue with the work, know that you are working dangerously!