Although the sun continues to shine and the temperatures still have you sweating right now, fall weather will be here before you know it. For many people throughout the country, that means cooler weather, changing leaves, and shorter days.
In the construction industry, the fall season can be a great time to complete projects. Since temperatures are not sweltering or freezing, fall days are comfortable for workers and ideal for productivity. There are, of course, safety considerations that come with any new season though. Let’s take a look at the construction safety tips you should be following as we transition into fall!
Prepare for cooler weather.
When it comes to weather, fall is a season of fluctuation. It could be crisp and cool in the morning and then a full heat wave by noon. Have your crew dress in or bring layers of clothing, so they can be prepared for a range of temperatures. If you don’t already in summer, you should also provide them with shelter, such as an enclosed tent or portable structure, for any inclement weather.
Use hardwood mats to mitigate the risk of falling leaves.
They might be pretty to look at and fun to crunch under your boots, but fall leaves can be a hazard for your crew and equipment on-site. Leaves covering the ground can get slippery if it rains or just with early morning dew, which creates unsafe ground for workers to traverse and use equipment. Crane mats are a simple solution for protection and stability, as they can cover the leaves and are easily dried and cleaned should the leaves fall on them.
Start thinking about adjusting your work schedule.
As fall progresses, daylight continues to diminish, especially once we reach daylight saving time. The mornings slowly get lighter while the evenings get darker earlier. It will be best to have your construction team shift to an earlier schedule, so they can finish before it starts to get dark. If you’re working at night or in the evenings, make sure you have enough lighting to keep your site safe.
Let Ritter Forest Products help you prepare your construction site for any season with our hardwood crane mats for rent! Our crane mats are strong and durable, which means you can depend on them to hold up and provide stability and ground protection in any weather. We also offer laminated mats, dragline mats, outrigger pads, and other ground products to make your project safer and more efficient.
Get in touch with us today to discuss the products you need!
