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Winter Weather Safety

Nov. 15 2019 Safety By Best Line Equipment

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Winter is coming! That means it's time to brace yourselves for cold weather and snow. With the temperatures dropping and flurries flying, it's always a good practice to review  winter weather safety. Whether you are working outside on a jobsite or traveling in the car, having an fresh reminder of safety practices can go a long way.  

Safety on the Jobsite

  • Layers, layers, layers - we can't stress this enough. Make sure that you are properly dressed for the weather being forecast. 
  • Make sure you know where you are going. There are some gas well sites and customer sites require the use of a clip on traction device for work boots. If they do, make sure you are prepared. 
  • If possible, enclose the work place. If you can't enclose the whole work area, try to have a enclosed area for employees to warm up at while on break. 
  • Stay moving. If you are standing still during your down time, you will get cold quicker. Don't stop moving around if possible, even if that includes, jumping jacks, or pacing around. Whatever you can do to keep your blood pumping!
  • When traveling, it's always smart to have an extra set of clothes stashed in the truck, just in case. This will give you something dry to put on in case you get wet while on the job. When it's freezing out, staying dry is critical.  Having wet clothing can be a nightmare and lead to dangerous medical conditions. 

Safety behind the Wheel

  • Tires: Always check tires for proper inflation and check the tread to ensure it is adequate for winter driving. Your tire tread depth should be around 4/32-inches or more.
    • Tip: Use a quarter. If the top of George Washington’s head is visible when placed in a tread groove head first, it has around 4/32-inch depth.
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full. Freezing temperatures can freeze your gas tank overnight if there is not enough gas in the tank!
  • If snow is covering your car, be sure to brush the snow off all windows, lights, and roof.  It's a PA law that if snow flies off your car and hits another person driving causing damage or a wreck, you can be held liable.
  • Check your windshield wiper fluid regularly. You might not realize it, but you can go through fluid faster than you think! It is best to use winter fluid mix!
  • Make sure all lights are working properly. This includes turn signals, brake lights, four-ways, trailer lights, etc.
  • Drive defensively. As the weather conditions worsen or the amount of weight you are towing increases, it is best to increase the distance between the vehicle in front of you.

At Best Line Equipment, we promote the safety of our employees, customers, and everyone around us is the highest and top priority. We can't stress enough the importance of taking precautions for yourself and those around you seriously. The challenges that winter weather brings is unique, so be sure to practice extra caution when out on the job or traveling this season. By keeping a few of these tips stored in your head, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries or accidents. To learn more about winter weather safety and other safety practices, visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/index.html . 


Best Line Equipment offers a wide variety of training courses, to learn more visit https://www.bestline.com/certification-and-training-in-pennsylvania--training.