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Give the heater room to work safely

A warm break area starts with the right heater, stable placement, and room around it that stays clear all shift.

For Crews using temporary heaters in cold-weather work or break areas
Give the heater room to work safely — construction crew safety meeting
Run it before the work starts

Here’s the conversation to have.

Cold mornings make a heater welcome. They do not make a rushed setup acceptable. Before it goes on, the designated person checks that the unit is approved for the location and that its instructions are available. Set it level on a suitable stable surface. Establish the required clearance using the heater listing, manufacturer instructions, and applicable site rules. Keep jackets, paper, fuel, and stored materials out of that space. Do not guess a clearance from how warm the air feels. For electric units, check the cord, plug, supply, and required protection. Follow the instructions for the electrical connection; never improvise a supply or bypass a safety device. Keep leads out of traffic and protected from damage. Fuel-burning heaters need a separate ventilation and fuel-control plan. Never bring an outdoor-only heater into an enclosed break area. Recheck the setup when wind, walls, storage, or occupancy changes, and shut the unit down according to instructions when the area is unattended.

Before you turn the crew loose

What needs to be checked.

  • Use a heater approved for the location and follow its listing and instructions.
  • Keep required clearances marked and free of clothing, supplies, fuel, and coverings.
  • Set the unit level on a stable, suitable surface away from foot traffic.
  • Inspect the electrical supply and leads; remove damaged equipment from service.
  • Provide the required ventilation for any fuel-burning unit.
  • Assign shutdown and recheck responsibility before the heater is used.
Ask the crew

Don’t just read it. Get an answer.

1. Who has checked this heater against its instructions and our site rules?
2. What could get stored or hung inside its clearance area during the shift?
3. Who will recheck and shut it down when the break area is unattended?
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.