Working safely in the cold
Performing tasks in inclement weather and uncomfortable conditions is difficult. Although it is possible for workers to perform in these conditions, the reality is productivity will be less than what would be accomplished in warmer weather. Days are also shorter, coupled with the need for more breaks to rehydrate and warmup.
Therefore, being prepared is important. This begins by wearing the appropriate clothing and equipment. Workers should consider dressing in layers with clothing suited to the forecasted weather and temperature. By wearing layers, workers can remove clothing as they exert themselves, and replace them when they are cold.
Proper winter footwear, gloves, or mittens should be worn to protect feet and hands, as these extremities are generally the first to suffer from the cold. Monitoring for conditions such as frostbite, dehydration, and hypothermia are important, as well as recognizing their signs and symptoms. Frostbite occurs as skin tissue begins to freeze and, when left untreated, it can lead to permanent skin damage, infection, nerve damage, and potentially the loss of limbs. The signs and symptoms of frostbite may include:
- Cold, tingling sensations of the skin;
- Numbness of the area;
- Red, white, blue-grey coloured skin; and
- Hard, waxy skin appearance.
Workers should visually inspect each other for frostbite of the face and neck, as it tends to go unnoticed by those who are affected. Preventing frostbite is quite simple; therefore, workers should dress accordingly and go inside or to a heated area when experiencing symptoms or feel cold.
Dehydration can occur as the body conserves heat to stay warm. When the body is cold, blood vessels constrict to maintain the body’s core temperature. When this happens, workers can be fooled into thinking they are properly hydrated. With a diminished response to replenish liquids and an increase in urine production, workers can be equally as prone to dehydration in cold weather as they would be in warm weather. The signs and symptoms of dehydration may include:
- Fatigue;
- Dizziness;
- A state of confusion; and
- Dark coloured urine.
Mild to moderate dehydration can be reversed quickly by drinking more fluids and maintaining a steady intake throughout the day.
Hypothermia (when one’s body temperature falls below 35 C [95 F]) occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. When one’s body temperature drops to this level their internal organs, respiratory system, and nervous system cease to function normally. When left untreated, these systems begin to shutdown causing severe health issues and possibly death. The signs and symptoms of hypothermia may include:
- Shivering;
- Slow shallow breathing;
- Slurred speech;
- Low and weak pulse;
- Clumsiness or poor co-ordination;
- Low energy and fatigue; and
- A state of confusion or memory loss.
Preventing hypothermia is simple; workers should dress accordingly and be mindful of the signs and symptoms. They should also constantly warm up when they feel cold.
Having an organized and clean construction site is also important to worker safety. Debris and materials may become buried during a snowfall, which may pose a tripping hazard. Accumulation of snow and ice is also hazardous to workers—from slipping to falling from overhead structures.
It should be routine to remove snow and ice from the construction site by means of plowing or blowing.
With the ever-growing ingenuity and scale of projects being undertaken in colder climates, it only makes sense that an increasing number of builders will see the benefits of constructing pools year-round. Some may say building pools during the winter is wrong, while others may say those who do are a little crazy; however, this author enjoys the shear satisfaction of telling clients his company builds backyard retreats in the dead of winter.
Michael Willis is an aquatic designer and partner at Roger Willis Contracting Ltd., an Ottawa-based pool builder specializing in unique, custom aquatic projects. He works in various fields—from project design to completion—and builds throughout eastern Ontario and the Caribbean. Willis is a member of the Master Pools Guild, Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC), and Landscape Ontario Horticulture Trades Association. He can be reached via e-mail at michael@rogerwilliscontracting.com.
