Each season brings its own construction hazards, from heat illness in summer to cold temperatures and icy conditions in winter. Autumn is no exception. Whether you’re wrapping up large summer projects or scrambling to get a new build weather-tight before winter, autumn construction poses hazards such as muddy ground, fallen leaves, low light and unpredictable weather. In some parts of the country, fall can bring monsoon-driven thunderstorms, heavy rains from tropical cyclones and hurricanes.

To prevent accidents and equipment damage that can throw your project off schedule, follow these fall season safety tips. It’s also smart to create a severe weather checklist for different types of severe weather.

Take precautions in muddy conditions

Construction safety during rainy season calls for taking mud seriously. Mud might seem harmless enough, but it can increase the risk of slips and falls and make the ground unstable for equipment. These tips can help prevent mud-related accidents.

Improve muddy terrain

If possible, set up drainage on your jobsite to remove some of the mud. Consider laying gravel for traction in key areas.

Urge caution on steps

Remind everyone to wipe their boots frequently, especially before climbing ladders or mounting or dismounting equipment.

Erect scaffolding properly

Scaffolding must be erected on a firm foundation. It should never be erected directly on soft, muddy or frozen ground. Instead, use a mud sill. These stable wood planks, placed under the scaffold footings, distribute the weight of the scaffold, keeping it from moving or sinking into the mud. After a storm, check scaffolding to ensure it’s still stable.

Take steps to stabilize heavy equipment

Heavy equipment such as telehandlers can become stuck in mud. Even if you’re using a rough terrain forklift, mud can increase rollover risk.

Tire chains or tracks increase traction in the mud. Heavy equipment mud mats can turn muddy areas into safe access roads.

At the end of the workday, hose off equipment to keep mud from caking and jamming machines.

Clear leaves to prevent falls and equipment malfunctions

Autumn foliage looks beautiful on trees, but once leaves fall, they become hazards. Leaves can hide uneven ground and become slick, increasing the risk of falls. They can also block the air intake or exhaust on equipment.

Remove leaves from walkways and work surfaces at the beginning of the day and as needed while you work. Consider using a walk-behind leaf blower, a sweeper or even a handheld leaf vacuum. Before you use equipment, clear any leaves from the intake, exhaust, windshield, mirrors and tires.

Store equipment and materials

Cleaning equipment of leaves and debris can be time-consuming. When possible, store equipment in an enclosed space to protect it from leaves, falling branches and debris-laden high winds. On jobsites, a portable storage container is a good option.

If you’re expecting a major storm like a hurricane, take extra precautions. Remove and securely store as much equipment as possible. Move materials into a secure storage area, too. Cover materials and equipment that can’t be moved with a heavy-duty tarp or use tie-downs and sandbags to keep them from blowing away. Take down cranes, scaffolding, light towers and other equipment that could pose a threat. Board up any windows and doors.

Provide adequate light

Shorter days mean less daylight. Low light makes it harder to judge the position, shape or speed of objects. Working in low light can also cause eye strain and headache. It’s no wonder OSHA regulates how bright construction areas needs to be.

Jobsite lighting choices range from light strings to portable light stands to towable light towers. Set up light towers on level ground, following the manufacturer instructions. With a stable base, light towers can withstand winds up to 65 miles per hour. Take them down in higher winds.

Practice generator safety

Due to the risk of electrocution, portable generators and water don’t mix. Don’t operate a generator on a wet surface. Unless your generator has a waterproof canopy, don’t operate it in the rain.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, use a portable generator only in a well-ventilated outdoor area, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and vents.

Review your evacuation plan

Even if you’re not located in an area affected by hurricanes, you should have a site-specific evacuation plan tailored to different types of emergencies. Conduct period evacuation drills to ensure that workers know what to do.

On large jobsites, the Spot-r EvacTag from Triax Technologies can facilitate faster evacuations.

Make allowances for cold and flu season

Cold season starts in September, and October typically marks the onset of flu season. Ask schedulers to plan for illness-related absences when booking jobs.

Hard as it might be, encourage sick employees to stay home, or you might find yourself with an entire crew that can’t make it into work or shouldn’t be there. Review your paid leave policy with employees. And consider offering instructions on ways to prevent illness from spreading.

Fall can be a busy, productive time for many contractors. Taking steps to keep your employees safe and your equipment in peak operating condition pays off in the form of less downtime and fewer budget overruns.

Visit our online marketplace to find the equipment you need to maintain a safe jobsite in every season.