This is an excerpt of an article first published by Construction Dive, and is republished here with permission of the editors. © 2020 Industry Dive.
By Paul Rozich
Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from Paul Rozich, Director of Safety and Risk Management for Rockford Construction, a West Michigan-based construction, real estate development and property management firm.
As frigid winter weather approaches each year, our work at Rockford Construction doesn’t stop. In fact, even in the middle of January, we are currently working on more than 100 projects throughout the cold and snowy Midwest.
Typical winter weather conditions include snow, ice, high winds, subzero wind chill and below-freezing temperatures. In Michigan where we’re headquartered, winter is often unpredictable, quick to arrive and slow to leave. Pre-planning is critical to ensure projects remain on schedule and, more importantly, workers remain safe. It is important that teams are trained and prepared for weather conditions and how they may impact the projects they are working on. Sitting down with project managers and superintendents to strategize about planning and safety implementation is imperative to a successful and safe winter season.
We continuously monitor conditions to make the best judgment call to protect our employees and trade contractors and when temperatures and windchills are at dangerous levels, we halt work for the safety of not only our workers, but the overall project.
Not being prepared for winter weather can lead to injury, mistakes, poor work product and delays that can affect completion dates, budgets and client needs. Safety must always be the highest priority and not something that should ever be put on the back burner or overlooked. Here are some of our best practices for a safe, successful winter construction season.
(Source: Rozich, Paul. “Extreme Winter Construction Requires Important Safety Precautions.” Construction Dive, Industry Dive, 4 Feb. 2020, www.constructiondive.com/news/extreme-winter-construction-requires-important-safety-precautions/571160/.)
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