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Cold starts need a warm-up plan

Plan warm, dry breaks, suitable layers, and buddy checks before cold, wet, or windy work starts.

For Outdoor construction, landscaping, maintenance, utility, and field-service crews working in cold, wet, or windy conditions
Cold starts need a warm-up plan — construction crew safety meeting
Run it before the work starts

Here’s the conversation to have.

A cold morning changes more than comfort. Wet clothing and wind can pull heat away quickly, and cold hands make careful work harder. Before the shift, check the weather and the work exposure together. Set the warm-up plan before anybody needs it. Wear suitable layers that can be adjusted as the job changes. Keep spare dry gloves and clothing available, and make sure layers work with the required PPE. Provide a warm, dry break area and schedule breaks for the conditions and workload. Workers who are new to the conditions may need closer monitoring and a gradual start. Use a buddy check. Watch for persistent shivering, numbness, unusual clumsiness, confusion, or slurred speech. Do not tell someone to push through. Stop the work, move them to a safe warm place, and follow the site emergency plan. Suspected hypothermia or a worker who is confused, collapsing, or not responding is an emergency: call emergency services. End the talk by pointing out today’s warm-up area, spare dry gear, and who checks on isolated workers. The foreman should adjust the pace, breaks, or task when conditions change.

Before you turn the crew loose

What needs to be checked.

  • Check temperature, wind, rain, and exposure before the shift and as conditions change.
  • Provide suitable layers and dry replacement gloves or clothing compatible with required PPE.
  • Set a warm, dry break area and a break schedule for the conditions.
  • Use buddy checks and scheduled contact with isolated workers.
  • Stop for cold-stress warning signs and follow the emergency plan.
  • Adjust the task, pace, or exposure when workers cannot stay warm and dry.
Ask the crew

Don’t just read it. Get an answer.

1. Where is today’s warm, dry break area?
2. Who checks on workers who are out of sight?
3. What warning signs mean we stop and get help?
Reference material

Use these when you need the rule or want to dig deeper.

This is a starting point for the tailgate talk. The crew, the equipment, and the job conditions in front of you decide what has to happen next.