Getting Your Site Ready for the New Year

How To Prepare Your Work Site For New Year

With a New Year comes a fresh start. This gives workers on a construction site the chance to re-evaluate the year just gone and put any changes in place.

Your first day back on site after the New Year may well be the first you’ve been on site since Christmas. While sites closing over winter is becoming rarer given new technologies and advanced building techniques, there’s a chance you still will be downing tools for a few days at least.

So, as well as preparing for the colder weather, you will need to check everything is safe to use, such as tools and equipment.

Before the New Year

1. Prepare for the weather

January in the UK is a cold, wet month. You’ll notice this particularly when working outside. While a lot of your winter weather preparation will probably already have been carried out for November and December, it is a good time to check you have enough shelter and warmth in place—particularly if the site will be unmanned for a few days around Christmas.

Hire plenty of heaters which will keep workers warm on their breaks, and any shelter should be secure and sealed against rain and wind.

You may also want to read our guide on how to keep your worksite mud-free. Mud can cause all sorts of issues, from slippery surfaces to complaints from surrounding homes and businesses. When frost and ice melt, mud can reappear, so don't think you've seen the last of it just because it is very cold outside.

2. Ensure everybody is trained & up to date

Before you leave the site for any festive downtime, consider whether any of your staff could benefit from further training in the New Year.

Do you need more workers in one particular area? Are mistakes being made?

Workers should already be trained in how to adapt their work for the winter, with cold and windy conditions. But they may need a recap, and any new staff will need an introduction to your plan.

Use Speedy Powered Access to provide your team with updated training in safety and skills.

After the New Year

3. Inspect tools and equipment

The first thing to do is to inspect everything which hasn’t been used. You should lock everything safely away when not in use, to limit the risk of theft or vandalism. However, cold temperatures can still mean that electricals suffer.

Check cables for fraying or becoming brittle with the cold, and all fuel should have a de-icer inside.

4. Define access routes

A new year probably means an increase in deliveries. Ensure vehicles can access your site and get to where they need to be.

They need to be cleared from debris such as fallen leaves and checked daily for ice and snow. A plan needs to be in place for daily gritting and clearance before any work can commence.

5. Vehicle safety

If there will be any vehicles on your site, they need to be checked before every use. Tyre pressure, batteries, brakes, and windscreen wipers should all be in perfect working order, and every vehicle should be equipped with a weather safety kit.

Salt, torches, shovels, ice scrapers, and blankets are the basics of these kits. As for the basics, the RAC recommends the acronym FORCES:

• Fuel
• Oil
• Rubber
• Coolant
• Electrics
• Screenwash

You can read about some more winter vehicle preparation on the Met Office website.

Power Through Winter With Speedy

Here at Speedy, we have a range of equipment to get your worksite and jobs done in time, no matter the weather. From building and site works and cleaning equipment to personal protective equipment suitable for the cold, dark weather, trust Speedy to deliver.

Speedy has more than 200 service centres across the UK, with hire counters in selected B&Qs and nationwide 4-hour delivery.

You’ll find all the tools you need right here. Why not open a Speedy account today online or visit us in-store?