Winter blues in the construction industry
Outdoor work can be hazardous - even with appropriate health and safety policies and risk assessments - if employees do not understand the risks and receive appropriate training to manage their own PPE responsibilities, then they may be putting themselves at increased risk.
Low sunlight in winter can disrupt sleep and waking cycles, causing undue fatigue. Lower sunlight levels cause the brain to produce more melatonin, a hormone with soporific effects - linked to light and dark. Furthermore, if it’s cold, the body’s effort to keep itself warm can exhaust the body much faster than in a neutral environment. Darker evenings combined with rain and sometimes fog can also impair worker’s vision when driving. Drivers should use headlights.
All workers should be careful in darker, wet conditions. It’s important to wear hi-vis clothing to increase visibility, especially near roadways.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Construction Management, 8 July
NEETs crisis drives interest in trades, but apprenticeships barriers remain.
Passive fire protection webinar
MEP services penetration seals.
Where its at podcast (and video) - The role of the Architectural Technologist as an Expert Witness.
More than 200 remarkable buildings added to SAVE’s Buildings at Risk register.
Government scraps pre-application consultation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Historic England and infrastructure
New projects offer opportunities for the historic environment and local communities.
Construction Management, 2 July
Construction deaths halve in two years.
Green Book changes to drive investment in all parts of UK.
Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)
CIAT briefing on response to consultations for privately rented non-domestic properties.
Connect, collaborate, shape the future
Registration now live for UK Construction Week Birmingham.
CIOB announces Saul Humphrey FCIOB as new President for 26/27 term.
A quick, simple, and zero-bills solution to prevent overheating.