STAYING IN TOUCH: JACQUELYN ODURO
As fall weather takes hold, Manitoba has already seen more rain, and even more is likely on the way. Rain creates wet and muddy conditions, which can make certain tasks more hazardous to complete.
When working construction, there are deadlines to meet and you may not always have time for the rain to slow you down. However, the health and safety of employees should always be top of mind.
Hazards associated with working in muddy conditions
- Sprains and strains: Work boots can easily get stuck in the mud, causing you to twist, mull, or maneuver to get it out. There is also a good chance that you may lose your balance and fall in the process. This can result in workers spraining, straining, or even breaking a bone.
- Overturned equipment and crashed vehicles: A construction site is commonly on open ground with lots of dirt and dust. When it rains that dirt becomes muddy. This creates a slick environment for vehicles and heavy equipment to travel on. These heavy pieces of machinery need to be able to have traction on the ground when moving.
- Slips, trips, and falls: Workers often climb up ladders or steps to get into a piece of machinery or get to your work area. When it is rainy and wet, the ground tends to be very slick where boots and hand grips can become slick and difficult to grip.
Tips for working safely in muddy conditions
- Try to keep things clean: If you have ladders, steps, or any other surfaces that you are working on with mud, clean them off before stepping on them. If your boots get packed with mud, take the time to stop and knock it off before continuing to work. When you are climbing on ladders or onto equipment, always maintain three points of contact.
- Don’t rush and be patient: If your boot is stuck in the mud, don’t try to rush and yank it out. Try to slow down and take a minute to work it out of the mud safely.
- Watch where you are going: When on a construction site that has mud present, certain areas are going to be slick. When you are driving a vehicle or heavy equipment, try to pay close attention to where you are driving. Getting stuck is never any fun and can only make the muddy situation worse.
- Don’t work in areas that can wait: If there is an area of your worksite that can wait until conditions are drier, then wait. If your time schedule allows, stop operations until drier weather or just avoid that one area until situations are better.
It’s easy to get comfortable with your job and push through certain situations. When you have been doing a job for a long time, you may get the urge to push through. When it comes to mud it is very important to always go back to basics and follow your safe work practices and procedures to get the job done safely.
