Winter brings unique challenges to construction sites. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can create hazardous conditions that threaten worker safety. It is crucial to take the necessary precautions to maintain your safety and health.
Some key risks include:
- Slippery surfaces from ice or compacted snow greatly increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls. This is one of the most common causes of construction injuries.
- Burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures, leading to:
- Unexpected flooding
- Additional ice hazards
- Potential electrical risks
- Brittle building materials that are more prone to cracking or breaking, making equipment and structures less stable.
Safety Tips to Prevent Construction Site Injuries
Without proper precautions, these hazards can quickly turn routine work into a serious accident, putting workers’ health and safety at significant risk. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends the following winter safety tips to prevent construction site injuries.
1. Know the Symptoms of Cold Stress
Cold stress can lead to hypothermia or frostbite. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, and numbness. Be aware of these signs and seek warmth immediately.
2. Monitor Your Condition and Your Coworkers
Watch for signs of cold stress in yourself and others, like fatigue or poor coordination. If someone shows symptoms, encourage them to take a break and warm up.
3. Dress for the Cold
Layer your clothing, starting with moisture-wicking fabrics, followed by insulation and a waterproof outer layer. Don’t forget warm gloves, hats, and boots.
4. Stay Dry
Wet clothes increase heat loss. Make sure to change out of wet clothes promptly, and keep extra clothing on hand in case you get soaked.
5. Drink Warm, Sweetened Fluids
Stay hydrated with warm drinks like tea or hot chocolate. Avoid alcohol, as it can increase heat loss and impair judgment.
6. Use PPE and Follow Safe Work Practices
Employers should provide necessary PPE, such as insulated gloves and boots, and set up sheltered work areas. Workers should take breaks, rotate tasks, and minimize exposure to extreme cold.
Who is Responsible For Keeping Me Safe on a Job Site?
It is the responsibility of your employer to ensure that the workplace meets safety requirements as set out by local, state, and federal regulations.
Additionally, it is the responsibility of the General Contractor to make sure that the job site is safe for all workers on the site, including the employees of other subcontractors.
How Construction Injury Claims Work
If you have been injured while working on a construction site, it’s important to understand your legal rights and the options available to you. Construction work often involves multiple contractors, subcontractors, and third parties, which can make the claims process more complex. Knowing how workers’ compensation and third-party claims work together can help ensure you receive the full benefits and compensation you deserve.
If you are a construction worker injured on a job site, you will have a workers’ compensation claim through L&I (Labor & Industries).
In addition to your L&I claim, you may also have a third-party claim against any individual or entity responsible for causing or contributing to your injuries.
In these cases, workers’ compensation lawyers and personal injury lawyers work together to guide you through the legal process.
The lawyers will ensure that:
- Your medical bills are covered promptly through the Workers’ Compensation System.
- Your wage loss benefits are paid in a timely manner.
- You pursue a personal injury claim to seek additional compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Future losses
- Other damages caused by the at-fault party
Payment timing:
- Workers’ compensation payments are made up-front.
- Personal injury compensation is typically received at the end of your case.
Working with an experienced construction injury attorney can help you protect your rights, pursue justice, and recover the full compensation you deserve.
Speak to an Experienced Construction Injury Attorney Today
GLP Attorneys has decades of experience supporting those who have been injured on construction sites. Our team of over 46 lawyers are located across the Pacific Northwest and are available to help ensure that you receive the justice that you deserve as you recover.
If you or a loved one has been injured while working on a construction site, call practice leader Cydney Campbell Webster at 800.273.5005 for a free consultation.
