It’s not uncommon for individuals who work in construction to get called in for projects that occur outside of usual daytime hours, to be exposed to cold weather, and to have to drive multiple miles to reach worksites at various locations. During the winter, driving and working into the evening – when it is colder and there is significantly less visibility – pose additional occupational dangers to those employed in an already dangerous industry. To address these hazards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recommendations for how employers and workers can best prepare, equip, and train themselves.
OSHA’s federal safety standards require all employers to provide workers with a work environment free from known and recognized hazards. Winter weather conditions are among other known occupational hazards, so employers must provide adequate protection to effectively keep workers safe. Some of the best and most basic steps employers should take are training employees, implementing engineering controls, maintaining safe work practices, and providing personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever necessary.
To address winter weather-related hazards, OSHA says employers should train workers on cold stress. Cold stress is a condition where the body loses heat more quickly than it can produce it, causing a dangerous drop in body temperature. Cold stress can cause major complications, including hypothermia, frost bite, and trench foot. It is also important to address other winter weather hazards that constructions workers encounter, like slippery surfaces and roadways, windy conditions, and downed power lines.
Here are some more recommendations from OSHA on how employers can best prepare, equip, and train workers:
The winter can be a dangerous time for everyone on the road. Since lots of construction workers drive regularly as a part of their job, it is crucial to prepare them for the hazards they may encounter in wintry conditions. Per OSHA, one of the best ways to do this is to implement an effective maintenance program for any mechanized equipment and vehicles that workers will operate. The agency recommends that employers inspect all vehicle systems to make sure they are working properly before allowing workers to use the vehicles. This entails checking for even and balanced braking and that the brake fluid is at the right level, making sure that vehicles have 50/50 antifreeze and water in the cooling system and are at the proper level, confirming the battery is fully charged, connections are clean, and that the alternator belt is in good working condition, inspecting all engine systems, checking the exhaust system for leaks and making sure that clamps and hangers are fitting snugly, and inspecting all interior lights, defrosters, and wipers. If the vehicle does not have windshield wipers, install them.
OSHA also suggests that workers observe the following safe driving tips to avoid preventable incidents and accidents:
If you are a construction worker who sustained injuries while working because of your employer’s negligence, an attorney at our firm can help. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides injured workers with wage replacement and medical benefits. To learn more about how you can file a legal claim for injuries you sustained, contact a representative online now.
Contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.