What to Do If You Get Cold While Working in Your Contracting Business

A construction worker holding a clipboard on a bridge.

Regardless of the weather outside, there will be times when work on the construction site or other workplace is particularly cold. Being cold can slow your reactions and increase the likelihood of mistakes or injury. With these tips, you’ll know how to warm up quickly and ensure that you can work safely.

Stretch Your Muscles
When it’s cold outside, you’ll probably notice that you naturally gravitate toward movement. That’s because your body uses movement as a way of producing energy or heat. One way that you can keep your body relaxed and limber in the cold is to stretch your muscles on a regular basis. It’s a good idea to stretch at least once or twice an hour, or more often when you’re working outside and it is particularly cold. You can do a longer session at the beginning and end of your shift. Try to do it in a warmer area if you can, because your muscles will be more flexible that way. If you’re not sure how often to do it, pay attention to stiffness in your muscles and joints. That’s a solid indicator that you need to step back for a minute and confirm you still have the full range of movement.

Change Tasks Regularly
Repetitive tasks get boring quickly. You’re more likely to put yourself at risk of injury if you’re not switching them regularly in the cold. Think about it this way: You’re focusing on a particular task that exercises certain muscle groups. Those muscle groups might be warm, but the others will start to get cold. By changing tasks every 15 to 30 minutes, you can balance your use of your body. You’ll find it easier to stay warm and you won’t get as stiff this way, either.

Wear Warm Gear
Protective gear can do more than keep you from injury. It can also help insulate your body so you don’t lose as much heat. You should take stock of the clothing you have that is appropriate for the job site, including:

Be wary of wearing clothing that is too bulky or inappropriate for the job. The last thing that you need is a sleeve or glove to get in the way of a piece of equipment or to catch on something. Consider starting with thin layers, like an undershirt or gloves that you can wear inside your regular work gear. They are less likely to inhibit movement and work well to prevent heat loss.

Take Warm Breaks
Just like you would in the heat of summer, you may need to create spaces on the job site where you can take breaks and get out of the seasonal temperatures. For example, you might be doing most of your work outside. But if you can take a break in a building or even in your vehicle for a few minutes, you can keep your hands from getting too cold or stiff to operate. This also applies to work tasks. If you can switch off outdoor and indoor tasks throughout the day, you may find it easier to get your work done outside.

Avoid the Worst Weather
Ultimately, no one wants to be outside working in the middle of a blizzard or temperatures well below freezing. One of the best ways that you can avoid injury or illness on the job site is by paying attention to the forecast. If you know the weather’s going to be bad on a particular week, you can shift the timing or the organization of some of your work. On the very worst days of the year, that change might make the difference between finishing a job and putting yourself at serious risk.

There are many reasons that you could be working in a cold place. When you do, you should have a plan to protect yourself. That’s part of running a successful contracting business. For more information, visit CSLS today!