How to Make Sure Your Construction Project Moves Along Smoothly in Winter

Winter is a difficult one for all construction projects. With snow and ice on the ground, it can be hard to complete a project without getting stuck in the snow or slipping on an icy surface. Plus, there’s the added concern of all the heavy machinery getting stuck in a snowdrift.

Although it might not be the ideal working condition, there’s no reason that your construction project should be delayed, or even shut down because of winter. And since it’s impractical to postpone your construction project until summer, here are seven ways you can keep your project on track during winter—and have a safer work environment, too:

1. Use de-icing cables or chemicals to prevent accidents

During winter, the weather can become unpredictable, with all the snow and ice. This can make industrial painting projects more difficult to complete on time because heavy machinery can become stuck in snow or slip on ice.

The best way to combat this problem is by using de-icing cables or chemicals to prevent accidents from occurring due to slippery surfaces. Doing so can protect both your machinery and the environment you’re working on.

2. Keep your workers warm with proper clothing and food

The winter air is filled with moisture, which can negatively affect your workers’ health unless they wear proper winter clothing. Not only that, but you need to make sure that your workforce has the necessary equipment and food required to stay warm throughout their shift because working in the extreme cold can exhaust them quickly.

So make sure your workers are healthy and happy by giving them the equipment they need to work efficiently, such as proper clothing. You should also ensure that they have enough food or even hot coffee to keep them satiated throughout their shift.

3. Build ramps made out of stone chips instead of concrete

If you are under a tight construction schedule, make sure that you use stone chips to build ramps instead of concrete or gravel. Adding water will allow the stone chips to stick together and become strong enough to support heavy machinery. Also, these can create better traction on icy surfaces because they have rough textures.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that building ramps out of wood, brick, or steel is a better option. These materials might seem sturdier at first glance, but they’re not suitable for heavy machinery because of their soft surfaces.

4. Store materials close to your construction site

Make sure that you keep the materials within 50 feet (0.02 kilometers) of your construction site so that workers can easily access them. This way, there is no time wasted getting materials from storage because they are nearby. It also reduces the risk of an accident while carrying heavy loads in the snow.

Additionally, storing your materials next to the construction site has an added advantage because it increases productivity. You might think that having a separate storage space is more efficient, but this isn’t true because you will need to take extra time and money transporting heavy loads from storage to where they’re needed.

5. Employ bulldozers to remove snow from narrow spaces

You don’t always have to remove snow by hand if you want to avoid getting stuck in the snow. You can use dozers or front-end loaders to get rid of large amounts of snow quickly and easily.

But you need to be careful not to damage surfaces this way because these heavy machines can cause irreversible damage when misused. So unless it’s an emergency, make sure that you use bulldozers to remove snow only on flat surfaces.

6. Clear the site by removing safety hazards

You need to make sure that the construction site is completely clear of debris before you can begin your project. You can’t risk someone tripping or getting injured when working in the cold weather, so everything needs to be removed beforehand.

Plus, it prevents damage to machinery or injury that might occur if someone falls into a hole. This can also include tree lines or wires that might get in the way of your project.

7. Consider using temporary lighting for night work

Night work can be dangerous if you are not thoroughly prepared. Make sure that your site is properly lit with floodlights to prevent accidents from occurring due to insufficient visibility. Workers will also need to use protective clothing to combat the extreme cold during night work.

Not everyone has the luxury to take time off work when there’s snow out. Working in winter can be very difficult for construction projects, especially if you are under a tight schedule. However, these tips should be enough to keep everyone safe and allow you to complete your project on time without any problems.