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Should You Winterize Your Construction Site?

December 5th, 2022

Should you winterize your construction site? Do worker safety concerns, material installation capabilities, equipment damage potential, and a slow-down of progress outweigh relocating or laying off workers and an extended timeline for delivery of the site to the client? Below are some considerations and common circumstances on construction sites throughout winter months in colder climates.

Worker Safety

Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and wind common in norther climates pose a concern for worker safety during winter months. Slips and falls are common occurrences on ice and freezing temperatures combined with wind are a perfect mix for hypothermia.  Shoveling, de-icing, and salting not only the ground, but ladders, scaffolding, and other areas workers may walk becomes necessary. Allowing frequent worker breaks in a warm area away from wind can also help prevent hypothermia.

Material Installation

Some materials cannot be installed when temperatures drop below a certain threshold without employing additional measures. For example, hot-mix asphalt will cool too quickly in low temperatures causing poor compaction and cracking. If the water in concrete freezes prior to curing, the concrete’s structure will become permanently damaged. Furthermore, certain landscaping installed in cooler weather may take significantly longer to install due to frozen ground and die off prior to spring from freezing temperatures.

Ways to combat material installation concerns in cool weather including utilizing cold-mix asphalt, plastic sheeting and heaters around concrete as it cures, and installing hearty varieties of trees and shrubs with mulch on top for insulation.  

Equipment Protection

Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures may also pose issues for exposed equipment and tools. Battery drain is common and fluids such as oil, grease, and hydraulic fluid become harder to pump reducing equipment efficiency. Ice and snow buildup may crack or jam equipment. Utilizing diesel fuel, where applicable, may help equipment run in cold temperatures and storing tools in a temperature controlled area is a must for proper operation.

Construction Progress

Inevitably, construction will slow in winter months as snow removal and frozen ground become hurdles for progress. Daylight hours are typically reduced shortening working hours or requiring illumination of the site. Additional measures for climate control and lighting require time and resources to employ and operate. However, slower progress in comparison to summer months is still progress overall and may be necessary to meet delivery deadlines and client expectations.

Additional Considerations

Some construction permits and associated monitoring or oversight requirements can be paused while construction is dormant which may result in a financial incentive for the construction site to be winterized. Maintaining the site’s workforce may and reduce disruption to worker’s families and income as lay-offs and worker relocation is reduced. Furthermore, there may be less demand for construction materials in the winter if other sites are dormant freeing up resources for your site’s needs.
 

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Kaitlyn Stublic, PE, Project Manager at HRP Associates, Inc.