How Your Contracting Business Can Handle Wind on the Construction Site
There are a number of possible safety and practical concerns you will face on the job site. Some of them, like wind, are a little harder to control. However, with the right tools and practices, you can keep wind from blowing away your materials or creating hazards while you’re working. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan.
Clean Up the Jobsite
No one likes a messy jobsite, with debris and material byproducts blowing all over the place. But as a business owner, you might find it difficult to dedicate the time to provide adequate cleanup. Of course, there are plenty of reasons to prioritize it, especially if you are dealing with materials that could be hazardous if they blow away. Consider setting aside a portion of your project budget toward cleanup services. Don’t assume that you will have either the time or the energy to do it all by yourself. Knowing that someone is available to invest the time to ensure that containers are closed and put away and that the job site is clean, will save you a lot of hassle.
Cover Loose Materials
You probably know what it’s like to walk across a dry field on a windy day. Dust blows in your eyes, in your mouth, and makes a big mess. If you’re working with loose materials, you might end up with a similar situation on the job site. The last thing that you want is to excavate dirt and have it blow over everything else. While you are waiting for the right time to use your materials, or for disposal services to arrive, cover them up as much as you can. Sometimes, even a tarp tied down with ropes and stakes can make a big difference when you can’t easily put materials in storage. Be sure to keep an eye on the forecast, so you’ll know if you need to do it in a hurry.
Wear PPE
All your plans for managing wind on the jobsite may not necessarily prevent you from being at risk on a windy day. After all, if you are working in an area with lots of open construction projects, there’s a possibility that something could blow over from the next lot. That’s why you should consider wearing personal protective equipment, such as:
- Protective goggles
- Masks or respirators, if needed
- Gloves
- Protective clothing
- Headgear that attaches snugly and won’t blow off
You may not need all of these things on a slightly windy day. But if you might encounter any wind, or you’re working with materials that can be hazardous to you, more safety gear is better than less.
Support Structures
As a general rule, a finished structure should have the adequate support it needs to keep from blowing over in the wind. However, a partially-built structure, or the scaffolding that you use to help you build it, may not have that capability. If you’re anticipating heavy winds in the area, be sure to add additional bracing and support for the structures as needed. This helps you to avoid damaging the work you’ve completed or putting yourself at risk when you go to work on the structures the next day.
Know When to Wait
Ultimately, strong winds pose other risks to you while you are working on the job site. For example, if you are working on a partially-completed structure and you are several feet above the ground, high winds may make you more likely to fall. If something blows out of your hands, you may instinctively reach for it and lose your balance. When you know that high winds or gusts are likely on a particular day, you should know when to set aside a particular task until you can do it safely. Sometimes, it’s better to save activities like crane operation for another day.
Managing wind on the construction site can help keep you and your employees safe, without compromising the work you do. To discover the many benefits of running your own contracting business, visit CSLS today!
