4 tools and equipment for a comfortable winter work site

In winter, many industries are directly impacted by the shift in the weather, especially the landscaping and construction industry. The onslaught of snow, ice, rain and plummeting temperatures can make jobs challenging to complete, not to mention dangerous. Managers and business owners have a duty of care to ensure that every single employee has exactly what they need to stay comfortable if they are working in the cold. Happily, there’s a variety of equipment and tools that can be utilised to create an optimum working environment for this weather – and that’s where we come in at Smiths Here!

We offer an extensive range of tool hire and equipment options to make the worksite more comfortable during the cold winter months. What you need for your team will depend on your job, but here are four of the most essential bits of kit to get you started.

Lighting towers for maximum visibility

Every season has its ups and downs, but when it comes to outdoor work, winter can be more difficult to manage than the other three. Winter brings shorter days and darker working environments, and when combined with less-than-savoury weather conditions and the use of heavy-duty equipment, that can quickly create a dangerous situation for your team.

Poor visibility on the worksite increases the risk of unnecessary accidents, such as slips, trips, and accidents with equipment. Adequate lighting helps maintain your team’s safety and ensures that they can operate machinery and tools with accuracy and confidence, dramatically reducing the chance of injuries and costly mistakes. At Smiths Hire, we have a variety of different site lighting options to choose from to keep your worksite safe, from festoon lighting to portable LED lighting like our LED Minipod Light 35W 110V, which works excellent in tougher, more extreme conditions, all the way up to bigger, more heavy duty options like the 9.0m Halide Lighting Tower which is equipped with four traditional 1000W metal halide floodlights and the special features timer and darkness sensor.

Outdoor heaters for warmth

Winter temperatures can make on-site work especially challenging for your team, with long dark hours and biting winds slowing progress and creating uncomfortable conditions. That’s where outdoor heaters come in. They’re essential for keeping your crew warm and productive; they provide an essential heat source during those long, cold days. Without them, the harsh winter weather can quickly lead to sluggish work, frozen materials, and even safety risks. An outdoor heater like the 110V Electric Infrared Heater hire makes sure your site stays operational and (arguably more importantly) keeps your team warm and comfortable. This heater is characterised by its manoeuvrability, a robust design, and either a 1.5kw or 3kw heat output setting, making this small infrared heater perfect for use in exposed environments.

PPE and winter uniforms for a comfortable team

Having the correct PPE and work uniform is just as essential as having the right equipment when it comes to winter work. Gloves, woolly hats, and hard hats are must-haves to protect against the elements and maintain on-site safety standards. The right winter boots are also a necessity. Your team needs steel-toe winter boots to keep their feet warm and safe from impacts, while the grip on the soles helps reduce the risk of slips on wet or icy patches. Layering work clothes also helps trap body heat while allowing for breathability and moisture-wicking, keeping your employees comfortable throughout the day so they can focus on the task at hand without worrying about the weather. Investing in seasonal workwear for your team ensures their comfort and ability to work efficiently year-round.

Dry rooms for a place out of the elements

Lastly, you’ll want to provide a space for your team to escape the cold winter weather now and then throughout their shifts. Our site unit hire range has everything you need, from hot wash portable toilets to spaces for canteens, offices, break rooms, and more. Providing your team with a warm, dry, and comfortable space to have their breaks, eat their meals, freshen up, and generally get out of the cold for a while will significantly improve their ability to work under winter conditions, especially with fatigue. What’s more, prolonged exposure to the biting cold can lead to health and safety risks, such as hypothermia or frostbite – which no one wants! 

If you have any questions about any of our on-site equipment, just get in touch with our friendly tool hire experts! When it comes to getting your tools, you can either order online or pay us a visit at one of our 17 tool hire depots, which we have all over the North, including major cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds. And, if you’d like any advice, don’t hesitate to call our team at 0333 323 2100, and we’ll be more than happy to help you out!