With winter practically here in some parts of the country, it’s time to prepare for the inevitable first freeze. And while the chilly mornings make that first cup of coffee taste even better, you need to get your job site ready to mitigate any damage or hazards. From storing your portable water bladders inside to double-checking scaffoldings for ice, here’s how to ensure your crew is prepared for an overnight freeze.
Prepare the Night Before
The best way to deal with an overnight freeze is to prepare the night before. If you see below-freezing temperatures in tonight’s weather forecast, take time today to prepare your job site.
If you have any liquid chemicals or drinking water bladders, move them to a warehouse or other insulated storage facility if you want to prevent freezing. Portable bladders make it easy to move your water to warmer areas to avoid freezing.
Show Up Early to Check for Ice
After the freeze, it’s important to show up early and assess the job site for ice.
Take some time before work starts to note where ice formed. Double-check walkways, ladders, scaffoldings, and steps for slipping hazards. Mark them off with cones and use salt melt to de-ice these areas.
Before work starts, get your team together and remind them of all the areas you spotted with ice so they can take necessary precautions.
Protect Your Equipment
Some equipment and tools are especially vulnerable to freeze damage.
Ice, cold, and wind can cause or intensify leaks. That’s why it’s important to always have spill containment berms set up, especially before the first freeze of the year. These keep leaks contained and stop chemicals from mixing with melting ice and spreading into the environment.
For the rest of your equipment with moving parts or electrical components, take steps to keep them ice-free or clear and test them when you show up in the morning.
Find Ways to Keep Everyone Warm
When the weather drops below freezing, it can impact morale as much as anything else. Good thing you’ve prepared.
Use your portable water bladder to supply some water to make hot chocolate or brew fresh coffee for your team. Pass out hand warmers, hats, and extra gloves to everyone, and send out a reminder before work to dress in plenty of layers. And be sure to keep the break area extra warm so everyone can thaw out before returning to work.
Mark Ditches, Holes, and Obstacles Before Snow Comes
With freezing temperatures comes the possibility of snow. If snow falls overnight, you don’t want to show up at a job site that wasn’t prepared.
Specifically, it’s important to stay safe by marking out ditches, holes, and banks. Snow and ice can cover these hazards and make the ground look level. If you don’t know where a ditch is, walking around the job site can be dangerous.
When you see the temperatures dropping under 32 degrees for the first time, it’s your sign to set up markers in all these areas. It’ll pay off all winter long.
About AIRE Environmental
If you want equipment that works as hard as you do, you need AIRE Environmental, formerly known as AIRE Industrial. Designed and manufactured in the USA at their headquarters in Meridian, Idaho, AIRE Environmental’s products hold up to the toughest tests. From a Reusable Flood Barrier that keeps your job site protected to Spill Containment Berms that stop chemicals in their tracks, AIRE Environmental helps your job run smoothly. They design their products with durable materials and tough-as-nails welded seams. No matter what your industry, your job site deserves AIRE Environmental. It’s the best way to ensure everything goes according to plan. There’s no job too big or too small. With AIRE Environmental, you can handle it all.
Get the gear you need to protect your job site this winter at https://www.aireenvironmental.com/
Original Source: https://bit.ly/40bG7tw
