As winter rolls in, traffic control professionals face the challenge of staying warm while working outdoors. At Flagger Force, we understand that safety and comfort go hand in hand, especially when dealing with harsh weather conditions and reduced daylight hours. Proper layering is not just about comfort; it’s about ensuring you can perform your duties effectively and safely in the face of cold and challenging weather. Here’s why layering matters and how to do it right.
Winter Weather Challenges
Working outdoors in freezing temperatures exposes the workers in this industry to specific risks, such as:
- Cold Stress: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), cold stress occurs when body heat is lost faster than it can be replaced.
- Reduced Visibility: Snow, fog, and shorter daylight hours make it harder for drivers to see flaggers, increasing the need for high-visibility personal protective equipment (PPE) and outerwear.
- Slippery Conditions: Snow and ice can make walking and setting up equipment hazardous, requiring careful movement and slip-resistant boots.
It’s essential to know the risks and signs of Cold Stress, as prolonged exposure to cold weather can lead to serious health conditions, like hypothermia, frostbite, or trench foot. Workers in freezing temperatures are especially vulnerable to these conditions.
Signs & Symptoms to look for, according to OSHA:
- Hypothermia: Uncontrollable shivering, loss of coordination, confusion, slurred speech, slow breathing/heart rate, unconsciousness, and possibly death.
- Frostbite: Reddened skin with gray/white patches on the fingers, toes, nose, or ear lobes; tingling, aching, a loss of feeling, firm/hard, and blisters may occur in the affected areas.
- Trench Foot: Skin redness, numbness, tingling, pain, swelling, leg cramps, blisters, and bleeding.
Employees are encouraged to monitor themselves and their coworkers for any of these signs or symptoms and contact emergency services immediately, if necessary.
Importance of Wearing Layers in the Winter
When temperatures drop, working outdoors becomes more than just physically demanding. It becomes a test of preparation and resilience. In Pennsylvania, where snowstorms are common, proper clothing is critical not only to stay warm but also to maintain focus and ensure safety on the job. Whether you’re guiding vehicles through a busy work zone or monitoring a road closure in freezing temps, the right layers can make all the difference and protect you from risks associated with Cold Stress.
Here’s why layering isn’t just about comfort—it’s a key component of staying Safety-Driven® and effective during the winter months:
- Maintains body temperature: wearing layers helps you adapt to fluctuating temperatures, preventing you from overheating and freezing.
- Protects against cold-weather risks: layering helps reduce the risk of hypothermia and frostbite by keeping moisture out and locking warmth in.
- Increased visibility: High-visibility outer layers ensure traffic control professionals remain seen in snow or low-light conditions.
Flagger Force Winter Safety Support
Flagger Force prioritizes winter safety by providing our teams with high-quality gear and resources to stay protected in harsh conditions. Through the employee-only Gear Store, we offer essential winter items such as ANSI-compliant insulated jackets, heated glove liners, hand warmer muffs, moisture-wicking shirts, and waterproof gloves. These tools ensure our employees are equipped to remain warm, visible, and comfortable while maintaining mobility on the job.
In addition to gear, Flagger Force emphasizes education through seasonal safety training sessions that cover critical cold-weather protocols, including layering techniques, hazard awareness, and strategies for staying safe during winter shifts. Employees are encouraged to proactively plan for their workdays by checking weather forecasts and preparing extra clothing to adapt to changing conditions.
Our commitment to safety extends to continuous communication and support. The Risk & Safety team provides weather-related updates, safety tips, and guidance on our internal communications platform, In The Zone (ITZ). These updates, paired with insights from team members, help create a sense of readiness and shared knowledge among employees.
As Joseph Lynch, Lead Instructor in Southern Florida, shared:
“When working outdoors, I always wear my Class 3 High-Visibility shirt as a base layer, with a lighter Class 3 High-Visibility sweatshirt. I add more layers depending on the predicted weather conditions. By wearing layers, I am able to control my body temperature better without leaving my post.”
Through a combination of proper gear, training, and continuous support, Flagger Force ensures our teams are prepared to meet the challenges of winter weather while maintaining our Safety-Driven® culture.
Staying Safe & Keeping Our Communities Moving
Flagger Force’s commitment to winter safety extends beyond providing gear—it’s about fostering a culture where preparation and well-being come first. By layering up effectively, recognizing cold stress symptoms, and using resources available, our traffic control professionals can confidently face winter’s challenges while keeping our communities moving.
