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When you start a new job as a tradie, your boss will more often than not harp on how workplace health and safety is their top priority. While it may be tempting to dismiss this as box-ticking, usually, it’s genuine. If an accident were to happen on the work site, there would probably be a range of implications, including mountains of paperwork and having to drop tools for an extended period. But more importantly, you could pick up a serious injury that may even stick with you for life.
While workplace safety is essential all year round, winter brings its own workplace health and safety implications. It’s no secret that during winter, it gets a lot colder, and the weather becomes poorer. But with this can come added stress, mental health factors, and increased work site hazards. That’s why, in this guide, we’ll explore our top winter workplace safety tips for tradies. Whether you’re new to the work site or have been in the game for a long time, it’s essential to refresh yourself with health and safety during winter. Let’s get started!
Starting us off is looking out for hazards. The weather changes on the job site day to day, especially during winter. As such, you need always to be assessing for risks and danger. Common winter workplace hazards include:
If you experience flooding on the worksite, a pump can greatly help. At Hirepool, we have a wide range of pumps. Read our guide on how to choose the right pump for the job to get started.
No matter how careful you are, sometimes accidents happen. This is especially true during winter. Having a qualified first aider on the work site is not only wise but also a legal obligation. All workers must have access to first aid while on the work site. Making health a priority with a first aider is essential if someone falls ill or is injured. Common health issues during the colder months include:
There are several work site first aid providers, including the Red Cross and St John. Ensure anyone coming on to the site knows where to find the first aid supplies and who the first-aid certified crew members are. If always a good idea to approach your foreman with any injury, even if it’s just for a bandaid.
Hitting the road during a cold winter southerly is far more treacherous than driving when it’s summer. As well as the bad weather making driving conditions worse, the cold can also wreak havoc on your vehicle and winter work gear. To keep safe on the work site and on the road, it’s vital to look after your equipment. For your vehicle, you may want to consider:
With all equipment for hire at Hirepool, you can rest assured it’s looked after and serviced. For more advice on maintenance for your own winter work gear, read our blog that covers 5 maintenance tips for checking your gear. If you’re wondering which equipment hire or tool hire is most helpful when it’s cold, read our blog on the essential hire gear for winter.
The weather can sometimes throw some real curve balls during winter. Sure, sometimes the conditions can turn out of nowhere, but more often than not you can get the jump on it. It’s a good idea to check the weather regularly on your smartphone, not just the evening before on the 6 pm news. Having a handle on the weather, means you’ll be able to plan your day accordingly and wear the proper winter work gear. Remember, safety first. If it’s not safe to work due to the conditions, call it off.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is necessary all year round, but it’s particularly important when it’s cold and dark. One aspect of PPE that’s vital during winter is visibility. During winter, the days are shorter and often darker. As a result, it’s important to wear reflective clothing when you can and head torches if necessary. Another way to see work site hazards ahead of time is by hiring work site lighting. At Hirepool, we have an extensive range of work site lighting equipment for hire, including light stand sets and single stands.
We’ve already touched on how a pump or lighting rig can help you to stay safe and avoid work site hazards during winter. But, there is so many other helpful winter work gear available at Hirepool, including:
Top tip: Hirepool also has a range of safety consumables, including thick gloves and safety glasses. You don’t need to give these back when you’re done with them!
No, we’re not talking about a steak and cheese pie and energy drink on smoko. As part of reducing stress and assisting with your overall health and mental health, your diet plays a big part. Also, when it’s cold, your body burns extra calories to stay warm, and you’re more likely to become dehydrated. Long story short, you need to eat more and drink more water during winter. But not just any old food and drink. Try healthier snacks to add calories, including:
You probably won’t want to hear this, but in the essence of healthy food for tradies during winter, you may also want to limit your caffeine intake. Caffeine tends to make your body feel warm when it actually isn’t.
Top tip: For overall health and wellbeing on the work site, it’s also beneficial to warm up before starting work. HazardCo and ACC have handy advice to get warm and limber before picking up the tools.
Mental health is just as important as physical health regarding workplace health and safety. The winter blues are a real thing, and stress plays a big part. It’s not fun waking up early for work when it’s freezing cold, so put your mental health first. Ways you can help to keep morale high on the work site during winter include:
If you’re feeling stuck, it can be a good idea to talk with a mental health professional. Read our guide on mental health on the job site for other tips.
This may seem a given, but you must dress accordingly to stay warm and toasty during winter. It’s a good idea to wear multiple layers so that the air between layers acts like insulation. Be mindful of areas that are usually exposed, like your hands and face. And, don’t forget that a lot of body heat is lost through your head. Be sure to rug up with a beanie, gloves, thermals and thick boots if needed, especially if you’re working outside.
When it comes to workplace health and safety, you must speak your mind. If you see work site hazards or notice a fellow tradie struggling, you should talk with your manager. If you feel the work site is too cold or even if you have safety concerns around gas or electricity, report it. Your work site should already have safety procedures in place in the event of an emergency or accident. However, if you feel your work site needs a safety audit, it’s worth communicating with your foreman, boss or manager.
As the saying goes, when safety is first, you last. Winter may make it harder to stay safe and sound on the work site, but by following and referring back to our simple tips, you’ll be on the right track. At Hirepool, we also make workplace health and safety easier with our range of winter work gear. You can view our range online, whether you’re after a pump, heater, generator or lighting. Once you’ve decided what you’re after, book it in and pick it up from your nearest Hirepool branch. For more advice for tradies, head over to our Trade Hub.