Tradies Tips for Winter: A blog about winter time precautions for tradespeople all around Australia. This post covers how to keep you and your tools working safer in extreme temperatures.

IntroductionAs the cold and wet weather creeps into Australia, you may start to feel like pulling out your favourite flannels, putting on a beanie and hiding in your toasty warm home. But as winter rolls around, you will also need to keep in mind that the temperature drop can create some serious problems when working as a tradie.

Keep up to date with your equipment

• It is vital that you keep up to date with your equipment: tools are the lifeblood of a tradesman, and if they're not in good condition, you won't be working effectively.
• Make sure that all your personal protective equipment (PPE) is suitable for winter conditions. This includes checking whether your clothing has been recalled by authorities.
• Ensure that any electrical tools are safe to use in extreme heat or cold weather conditions, and make sure they have been tested recently to ensure they're still functioning correctly.

Make sure your tools are in working order, and that they are winter-ready.Tools are your most important tools. As a tradesperson, it?s important that you take the time to prepare them for the harsh winter months.For starters, clean and oil your tools so that they?re ready for action when needed. You should also check tools for wear and tear, as well as damage from previous jobs (this is especially important if you have been using a hammer or any other heavy object). This will ensure that your equipment works safely and efficiently in extreme temperatures.You also need to consider how cold weather affects your tools?especially when it comes to metal ones like drills or pry bars. Metal expands when it freezes, so if these items aren't stored properly in cold environments, they could become misaligned or damaged due to their expanding shape and size. If possible, try keeping these items inside during inclement weather so they won't get damaged by the elements outside! Also remember not leaving those little pocket knives lying around while working out there either - especially if they're made out of steel...Make sure everyone on site is prepared for the cold.In cold weather, it is important for everyone on site to be prepared for the elements. This includes workers and their tools, as well as any bystanders who may be watching from a distance.To ensure your work is done safely and efficiently:

• Make sure you have a warm area for breaks and lunch. This could be anywhere from a shed or tent with heating equipment inside to an indoor space such as an office or cafeteria where employees can eat their meals without leaving the building. The idea here is that everyone should stay warm during these times, so they're not tempted to rush back outside too quickly after eating.
• Provide warm drinks (like coffee) throughout the day if possible so all workers can keep active while they're working hard in those freezing temperatures outside!
• Ensure workers have clothes to suit the weather. e.g. rainproof coats.

Plan to avoid frostbite.Frostbite occurs when skin and other tissues freeze. It's most likely to happen on the face, ears, hands, and feet. Symptoms of frostbite include:

• Numbness
• Slight tingling or burning pain
• Skin turning pale or waxy looking

If you think you have frostbite, seek medical attention immediately. The symptoms of frostbite can be serious but there is no permanent damage if it's treated early enoughSafely store and transport chemicals below 5 degrees Celsius.

• Specific to the types of chemicals you might use, be aware that some chemicals will be more sensitive than others.
• Do not leave chemicals in your car. If you're going to be out on a job for a long time and it's hot, try and keep them in the shade and make sure they're away from direct sunlight.
• Always store chemicals in a cool dry place and if possible, avoid leaving them inside your toolbox during winter seasons as this could cause them to freeze or explode due to changes in pressure in the container.
• You should always wear protective clothing when working with any type of chemical product, especially if there are hazardous materials involved such as acids or solvents; these can have strong fumes which should always be treated with caution!

Avoid icy surfaces.To avoid slipping on icy surfaces, you should wear shoes with good grip. If the ice is too thick to walk around or if there's no other way around, use sand or salt on the slippery surface. However, even with sand or salt it?s best to avoid walking on ice as much as possible.When using a ladder on an icy surface, make sure that it is strong enough for your weight and that all bolts are tight before climbing up into it. If ladders were designed for two people, then stick with that rule in winter: don't put all your weight onto a single rung at once; instead, always spread it out between rungs evenly.

Take care when using electric heaters and other devices.When using electric heaters and other devices, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Keep your heater out of the way and away from anything that could be damaged by the heat (such as curtains).
• Ensure all cords and extension leads are safe and don't exceed 1.5m. If you need to plug them into others, use an extension cord with a safety shut-off feature so that if it gets pulled out of the wall it will automatically cut power to prevent fires.
• Heating pads should be used for only 15 minutes at a time, unless otherwise recommended by your doctor or pharmacist. Remember to keep them on low heat only so they don't get too hot!

Try to have a dry area for breaks, lunch, and other times away from the worksite.It's easy to get caught up in the work and stay out in bad weather for longer than you should. But it's important to remember that your body needs heat too. So, take frequent breaks and try to have a dry area for them, as well as lunch time.If your break or other time away from the worksite is longer than 30 minutes, then get out of wet gear before you go back into warm areas (like vehicles). If you need to change clothes do so quickly and don't leave wet clothes lying around because they'll make everything damp and cold.When it comes to drying off after being soaked by rain or snow there are lots of options:You can be safer in Winter by being prepared, this post shows what you need to do.Winter can be a dangerous time for tradespeople. It's important to stay safe and take care of yourself, your tools, and your equipment.

• Prepare. Winter is an extreme environment so it's best to go prepared to avoid any problems or injuries.
• Take breaks. During winter it's very important to take breaks from working outside particularly if you're on a roof or in the open air where there are no sheltering walls or fences around you. You should drink plenty of water when working outside during this time because it will help keep you warm as well as hydrated and alert during work hours (if possible).
• Look after yourself first! Make sure that before going out on site/job site each day that all necessary preparations have been made for whatever job needs doing like making sure everything has been ordered/delivered etc...

ConclusionWinter can be a tough time of year for tradespeople. But with a little bit of planning and some careful preparation, you can make it that much easier to get through the winter months. We?re not saying that it will be easy?but we are saying that following these tips, you?ll be more prepared than most other people who are just hoping to make it through the winter unscathed!