Daylight may reduce throughout winter, but that doesn’t stop us hard-working tradesmen.
Our working hours are as long as ever, which means working in the dark becomes more common and more dangerous. Construction sites are hazardous places on the best of days; throw in restricted visibility and they’re a disaster waiting to happen!
We, therefore, need to relook at the health and safety measures on site to keep the job ticking along in the safest way possible.
It only takes a couple of extra features to get your sites up and running for the winter months. Keep reading to find out what they are.
BRINGING BACK THE NEON 80s
Now, neon yellow isn’t everyone’s colour but it certainly does the job when it comes to hi-vis clothing! Ensuring that everyone is wearing the correct high-visibility clothing is the easiest and simplest way to keep safe throughout winter.
As stated in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, it’s the responsibility of all employers to provide their workers with suitable protective equipment. The PPE needs to be in good working condition and right for the environment, including working in the dark.
High-visibility vests, coats and trousers do the job. Their reflective properties warn others of your whereabouts, helping to prevent any unnecessary accidents. In particular, hi-vis clothes that meet EN343 standards that will offer even better protection against wet weather.
While these items offer much-needed protection, their effectiveness can decrease if they aren’t kept in good working condition. Keep your garments clean and replace when the reflective surface wears out. And, no matter how tempted you are to make a crop top, do not cut up or alter the clothing!
WARM YOUR COCKLES
It’s also important that you take precautions to help keep you warm during the harsher weather. By keeping warm you’ll be able to work more comfortably and keep any illnesses at bay as you work throughout these darker, colder months.
Step aside Chanel, as there’s a whole range of suitable clothing made specifically for this: helmet liners, face warmers, ear muffs, thermals and gloves – to name just a few! There’s even PPE that can offer protection while keeping you toasty; look for gloves also certified to EN511 standards in addition to any of the other safety standards you need for the job.
SHINE A LIGHT
It’s not all doom and gloom! Additional lighting around the site can help brighten up the space, making it an easier and more productive environment to work in. From floor lights to halogen tripods, there are loads of options available when it comes to buying or hiring these bits of kit.
If you’re unsure what tools or PPE is most suited to your job’s needs, check out our full lighting range here, or our PPE equipment here. Don’t forget to head into your local branch, where our teams are always happy to lend a helping hand.
