L2A1: Change in the Weather

As the months drag on, we are heading into the cooler part of the year. And whilst we have still probably got a few warm days ahead of us, we are quickly coming into the cooler weather, which brings with it a few extra challenges as tradespeople. So, we thought we’d point out a few things to look out for, and a few tips to help keep you save and help avoid injury during the colder months.

Prepare for dark mornings and nights

Coming into the winter, it’s likely you’ll be getting up in the dark, and possibly even coming home when the sun is down or at the very least setting as well. It is harder to get up, and definitely easier to get lax toward the end of the day once the sun goes down. So, try to compensate this in the morning – having a warm drink of a morning (whether that’s coffee, or tea, or some variant) will actively help wake you up. Also, attempting to get up earlier and hit the gym or go for a run will also help immensely to wake you up. On the other end of the day, it’s also salient to remember that you might be getting tired toward the end of the day – so take a regular break for five throughout the day to ensure that you’re not driving tired – and remember it’s always better to come back to site for an hour, than rush a job and either not complete it correctly, or injure yourself.

Warm up those muscles!

Before you engage in any physical activity – make sure your muscles are warmed up. Whilst this is true of the gym, it applies across any physical activity. And, doubly so when it’s cold. The best thing to do would be to go for a brisk walk of a morning, but failing that stretching and warming up your muscles on site before you get into work is also a much better idea than getting stuck in and injuring yourself.

Remember, it might be slippery

As the mornings get colder, more dew and condensation can form on places like grass, concrete, and other surfaces. This can make the bottom of your boots slippery, and can cause you to slip on surfaces that haven’t been a problem up until now. So always ensure to wipe your boots when you’re coming inside, or onto a shiny surface. It’s also a good idea to keep a towel on you so you can wipe your boots before climbing a ladder, or entering a property.

Fog!

This time of year, fog is more likely to occur. And, this is more likely to be in the morning or in the evening. So make sure you’re driving, if need be, with your fog lights on, and driving cautiously. Or, if you’re out on the road by yourself walking or running, wear a colour which can easily be seen.

So there you have it – a few extra ways to keep safe during the changing weather, and a few things to look out for during the autumn.