How to keep your construction project moving through Winter

Winter can be a tough season for construction projects. Frigid temperatures, reduced daylight, and unpredictable weather conditions can slow down work and impact deadlines. However, with the right preparation, equipment, and tools, your team and project can push through the Winter weather without any problems! Here are a few ways you can keep things moving even when the temperature drops.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast

This might seem like a no-brainer, but staying on top of the weather forecast can make all the difference when it comes to keeping a project on track. By knowing what’s coming, whether it’s rain, freezing temperatures or even snow, you can swap out tasks and plan the right jobs for suitable days. If heavy rain or snow is on the way, get your team cracking with tasks that can be done indoors or under shelter. This will also give you time to secure the site and avoid surprises that could disrupt your schedule.

Make the necessary preparations as early as possible

When it comes to construction, preparation is key. So, hiring the equipment you need and arranging site accommodations before the cold hits will help keep your crew comfortable and productive. Welfare units and hot wash site toilets make a big difference in maintaining team morale and efficiency, especially if you’re working outdoors. Having somewhere warm to take a break and eat meals will make life a lot easier. If you’re working indoors, say in a warehouse for example, it’s vital to ensure that you have a good portable heating system that is going to provide a consistently comfortable environment. This way, your team can focus on getting the job done without dealing with the distractions of a chilly workspace.

Keep your site safe proper Winter lighting

The shorter daylight hours of Winter can throw a spanner in the works when it comes to productivity and safety (especially when it starts to go dark at 3 pm). Good lighting is a must to keep things moving after dark and prevent potential hazards like slips and trips. At Smiths Hire, we provide various site lighting hire solutions like portable lighting towers and LED lighting hire to help you brighten up your worksite. We also have a great selection of distribution boxes, generators, transforms, cables, and more, so you can always guarantee that your team can work efficiently no matter what time of day it is. With proper lighting, you can keep productivity high and ensure safety standards are met even when the sun sets early.

Follow health and safety protocol

We know that safety is at the top of the priority list for every site manager no matter the season, but especially so in Winter when icy paths and cold conditions can increase risks. Make sure your team is kitted out with Winter-appropriate workwear, and keep an eye on the site throughout the day to ensure conditions remain safe, particularly if it’s snowing or icy. Don’t forget to grit walkways to prevent slips and falls. Following health and safety Winter work guidelines from the HSE helps keep everyone safe and your project on track without unnecessary downtime.

Use the right equipment

You need tough, reliable equipment to power through Winter conditions and to keep everyone as safe as possible when on the job. For example, when it’s icy or wet, powered access equipment like scissor lifts, cherry pickers, and mast lifts are much safer than using ladders or scaffolding if your team is working at height. At Smiths Hire, we have one of the largest independent powered access fleets in the UK, with options for next-day delivery. Whether you need a scissor lift, cherry picker, or low-level access solution, we’ve got you covered!

Winter doesn’t have to slow your construction project down. By staying prepared and making sure you have all the equipment you need, you and your team can maintain productivity and achieve your project goals without delay this Winter. And if you need the tools to help you get the job done, look no further!

You can find us online or at our 18 tool hire depots across the North West and Yorkshire, including major cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds! If you have any questions or need advice about keeping your worksite ticking over this Winter, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team on 0333 323 2100!