{"id":1212,"date":"2020-12-10T09:15:02","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T17:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.absorbentsonline.com\/spill-containment-blog\/?p=1212"},"modified":"2024-03-01T12:00:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T20:00:09","slug":"winter-is-here-are-you-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.absorbentsonline.com\/spill-containment-blog\/winter-is-here-are-you-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Is Here. Are You Ready?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Workplace cold weather advice and safety tips for the winter months<\/em><\/h2>\n
\"frost

Icy winter conditions pose workplace risks for your plant and people<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Winter is here, and cold temperatures bring unique safety risks for those who work outdoors. For instance, frostbite and hypothermia are risks due to lost body heat (especially when wearing wet clothing). Additionally, slip hazards increase during outdoor activities like de-icing equipment and vehicles.<\/p>\n

Make sure your workplace and employees are ready to face the elements this winter season. As the temperature drops, help prepare for potential hazards with the following winter safety tips and advice.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s so dangerous about winter?<\/h3>\n

Winter weather can be dangerous in different ways, from the effects of wind and rain to snow and cold temperatures. The key is to properly prepare for winter weather conditions. Thus, determine how conditions may affect your facility, equipment, and employees.<\/p>\n

Here are just a few safety issue scenarios and solutions to consider:<\/p>\n

1. Slippery surface hazards<\/h4>\n

Does water or ice turn certain stairs or ramps into slip-and-fall hazards? Installing permanent safety treads<\/a> can head that problem off. More so, they save time and money rather than sprinkling rock salt every day. Indoors, industrial absorbent mats<\/a> help keep floors clean and dry. You can say goodbye to puddles from wet work boots or umbrella drips.<\/p>\n

\"roof<\/a>

Add pipe and roof leak diverters to your winter storm emergency kit supplies<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

2. Potential structural damage<\/h4>\n

Will winter storm rain or snow meltwater pose structural building risks, like roof damage? Make sure you\u2019re prepared with the right\u00a0stormwater management products<\/a>. For example, a temporary and easy-to-install roof leak diverter.<\/p>\n

3. Frozen pipes<\/h4>\n

Likewise, burst pipes and ruptures are other common occurrences in freezing temperatures. However, having an emergency kit for leaks<\/a> ready to go can quickly halt equipment damage. Moreover, save you from facing an expensive repair bill.<\/p>\n

4. Heating risks<\/h4>\n

Does your facility or warehouse rely on devices like gas-fueled space heaters for warmth? Without correct ventilation, a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide is possible. Install a battery power CO detector as an alert against carbon monoxide poisoning. But don’t forget to check your detector every year to make sure it is in good working order. And always keep a stock of extra batteries in your emergency supplies!<\/p>\n

5. Personnel health<\/h4>\n

And of course, protecting your employees from health problems in cold conditions should be a top priority. In extremely cold conditions, hypothermia\u2014an abnormally low body temperature\u2014poses a very serious health risk. Warning signs in adults include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If your employees start to exhibit these symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Especially if their temperature falls below 95\u00b0 F.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Staying safe in winter while working outdoors<\/h3>\n
\"workers

Monitor body temperature during frigid outdoor activities like shoveling snow<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Unfortunately, wintertime doesn’t always allow for job sites and work activities to move indoors. Especially for service industries such as construction and maintenance crews. In many regions of the United States, snow removal using snow blowers or shoveling is a necessity to keep operations running smoothly.<\/p>\n

That’s why it’s essential to educate staff on basic cold-weather safety tips. Like knowing the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Help them to stay safe by ensuring they understand the importance of:<\/p>\n