Whether we're ready for it or not, winter is in full swing. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, bitter cold, wind — we've got it all here in the Midwest, sometimes on the same day. For HVAC techs, that means extra hazards on the job site and on the roads. On a good day, HVAC work can involve heavy lifting, climbing on ladders, working in confined spaces, dealing with chemical fumes and more. Doing all of that in wet, cold or freezing conditions ups the danger ante.
Keeping your men and women safe is paramount for every HVAC business owner. Here are some best practices to keep your people (and yourself!) safe on or off the job site.
Maintain your vehicles. Getting to the site is the first step in any job, but in the winter here in the Midwest, that can be easier said than done. After even a slight snowfall, the roads can be a dangerous mess. Driving with extra caution in the winter is a must. An equally as important component of safe winter driving is equipping your vehicles for winter. That means winter or all-season tires, winter wiper blades in good condition, a spare tire, and a good battery.
Make sure all vehicles have an emergency kit. Stellar HVAC service means having the right tools, and in the winter, tools should include an emergency kit for all vehicles: a blanket, bottles of water, protein bars, a shovel, salt and grit, a flashlight, phone charger and jumper cables.
Dress in layers. Hypothermia and frostbite can set in in minutes on frigid winter days. But it's not enough to bundle up and have a solid pair of work gloves. Part of the job might be outside, part of it might be inside. It can be tricky to get that right. The solution is to dress in layers to stay warm outside and comfortable inside. Also highly important: sturdy boots.
Be extra careful when climbing or lifting. Climbing a ladder may be no problem in the summer. In the winter, it's a whole different ballgame. Also, heavy lifting gets a new level of complexity in the winter, given slippery, icy surfaces. It's best to have two people on a job site for support, but that's not always possible. If you're a one-person operation, take extra care and watch for ice when climbing and lifting.
Be aware of cold-weather hazards. In addition to dressing in layers, techs should try to minimize tasks that cause them to get overly sweaty, especially if they're going to be working outside for long periods of time. Sweating in the cold obviously results in your clothes getting wet. But not so obvious — that will prevent your body from retaining heat. Train your techs on the signs of frostbite. Tuck a couple of hand warmers in your pockets, too.
Watch fumes if working in an enclosed area. HVAC techs can be exposed to chemical fumes — it's part of the job. The danger ramps up in the winter, if you're working in an enclosed area. Make sure to get enough fresh air.
Take extra care with electricity. Rain, snow, sleet and ice can be deadly when you're working around electricity.
Communicate with colleagues. Just like you wouldn't set out for a day of hunting or fishing without telling people where you were going, the same is true for leaving for a job site in the winter. Make sure others know your schedule, where you're going, and when you anticipate going to the next job.
Bottom line: Whatever dangers HVAC techs face on mild, sunny days are multiplied on cold, winter days. Focusing on winter job site best practices will help everyone get the job done safely.
