November Safety News: Fall is upon us
It’s difficult to believe that it’s November already; hot days and warm nights have given way to cool, windy days and cold nights. The threat of snow is now being discussed on the news in many of our areas.
The leaves have turned their fall colors, and almost all have fallen from the trees, and mowing the grass is all but done. Some of our areas are preparing for snow, ensuring their vehicles and snow-moving equipment and shovels are ready to go.
We often don’t think of proper hydration when we think of winter. Proper hydration is just as important in the winter as in the summer. In the summer, proper hydration is about keeping your body hydrated to deal with heat and perspiration; in the winter, it’s about keeping your body hydrated to produce the internal heat it needs to keep us warm.
Another concern in the winter months is dressing in layers to keep us warm. As the days warm up you can remove some layers, and you can add them back when it gets cold again. Hypothermia is a concern during these months, too. As you perspire, your clothes become wet; if you haven’t dressed in layers, this can be a problem that leads to hypothermia as your activity decreases and the days turn colder.
Proper hydration and dressing in layers will aid you in being prepared to be outside in cool or cold weather.
Driving during the winter months presents more challenges, too. Adding slippery, snow or iced-covered roads to a driving environment with drivers who may be inexperienced for the conditions or distracted drivers can make the roadways even more treacherous. SLOW DOWN, LEAVE YOURSELF EXTRA ROOM.
These conditions and drivers, as mentioned above, can create issues in our work zones as well. Whether construction or last mile working along roadways can be even more hazardous. Pay attention, and anticipate that drivers may not be experienced or paying attention to you while out there.
Lastly, I want to wish all of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving. Remember, we all have things to be thankful for.
For National OnDemand, I’m Matt Rehlander
