The recent polar vortex has brought extreme winter weather to much of the United States and Canada, with subzero temperatures, heavy snow, and ice. For workers, ice buildup, drifting snow, and wind chill can cause fatigue and slow reaction times, especially as pressure builds to catch up on lost work. Which is why we deep dive into how to reopen a construction jobsite after an extreme snowstorm.
The U.S. National Weather Service and Environment and Climate Change Canada say these Arctic air events have led to dangerous wind chills, freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy snow buildup.
The days right after a winter storm are among the riskiest on a jobsite. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that cold and winter weather increase the likelihood of slips, falls, and equipment accidents when work resumes too soon.
Given these risks, construction leaders need a clear plan to safely restart work. This blog offers practical steps on getting crews back on the job after severe winter weather.
In this blog, we'll show you:
How to Reopen a Construction Jobsite After an Extreme Snowstorm
- After a major snowstorm, the first step is to decide if the site is safe to enter. Bringing crews back before conditions are stable puts them at risk, no matter how tight the schedule.
- Begin by controlling who can enter the site. Walk around the perimeter first and look for obvious hazards, such as downed power lines, collapsed structures, snow-covered scaffolding, or icy paths. OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires workplaces to be free from known hazards, so all winter storm damage should be identified, recorded, and corrected before work begins.
- Check for structural problems. Heavy snow can weaken formwork, scaffolding, temporary roofs, and storage racks. OSHA warns that snow adds a lot of weight to structures not built to handle it. If you are unsure about safety, have an engineer inspect the site before letting anyone in.
- Hidden excavations are another big risk. Snow can cover open trenches, maintenance holes, and changes in ground level. Before removing snow, mark all known excavations with bright barriers that stick up above the snow.
How to Restart Construction Operations After a Weather Shutdown
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) says winter restarts work best when crews focus on lower-risk tasks first, while waiting for conditions to improve.
Steps to Restart Construction Work After Extreme Winter Weather
- Warm up equipment slowly.
- Check hydraulics and batteries.
- Make sure materials have not absorbed moisture or become warped.
- Restore temporary lighting and power early since daylight hours are short.
- You may need to expand equipment exclusion zones to allow for reduced traction and longer stopping distances.
Here is a Post Snowstorm Construction Site Safety Inspection Checklist
Finish a safety checklist and keep a record before starting work again after a snowstorm.
Access and Egress Routes:
- Ensure all walkways, stairs, and ramps are cleared of snow and properly salted.
- Ensure all emergency exit routes are passable and marked.
- Check that all vehicle access roads can handle equipment traffic.
Overhead Hazards:
- Inspect scaffolding for ice buildup and snow accumulation.
- Inspect canopies, awnings, and temporary roof structures for hazards.
- Take down any icicles from building edges and equipment.
- Verify cranes are free of ice accumulation.
Ground-Level Hazards:
- Clearly mark all excavations, changes in ground level, and drop-offs.
- Check the ground for stability in areas affected by freezing and thawing.
- Identify and mark all black ice areas.
- Make sure all barricades and fencing are still secure and undamaged.
- Inspect temporary power sources for damage or water intrusion.
- Check that generators, heaters, and warming areas are working as they should.
- Test ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) before use.
- Inspect all material stockpiles for snow damage.
- Make sure all materials that are sensitive to moisture are protected.
- Assess whether freeze-thaw cycles have compromised concrete or masonry.
Write down everything you do: take photos, note the conditions, record your actions, and keep a written inspection log.
This approach mirrors many of the winter compliance fundamentals discussed in our blog about winter safety tips and hazards, particularly the need to document changing site conditions and address slip-and-fall risks before crews return.
What is Winter Construction Safety Compliance After Extreme Weather
OSHA does not have a set temperature for stopping work in the United States. Instead, the General Duty Clause says employers must protect workers from known hazards. Cold stress, slips and falls on ice, and using equipment in winter are all hazards that need documented safety steps.
In Canada, CCOHS and CSA standards also focus on spotting hazards, preventing cold stress, and keeping workers safe. They do not set specific temperature limits. CCOHS recommends starting work-warming routines when the wind chill is -7°C (19.4°F) or colder.
Required Documentation Elements:
- List specific hazards found at locations.
- Describe corrective actions taken and who performed them.
- Document safety briefing provided to crews before restart.
- Set up a schedule to keep checking conditions throughout the day.
- Update Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to reflect winter conditions.
Conduct Temporary Fencing and Site Perimeter Inspections After Heavy Snow
- Temporary fencing inspection after a snowstorm is one of the most frequently missed steps during winter restarts. Snow load, drifting, and wind can displace bases, loosen connections, and compromise gate function.
- A compromised perimeter increases the risk of unauthorized access, theft, and public exposure.
- Infrastructure Canada emphasizes that maintaining secure construction perimeters is a year-round responsibility, regardless of the weather.
How to Manage Equipment and Material Management After Snowstorms
Cold temperatures affect hydraulic fluids, battery performance, fuel gelling, and material flexibility. Before operating equipment after a storm, allow proper warm-up time per the manufacturer’s specifications. Check that cabs, steps, and access points are clear of ice. Inspect tires and tracks for ice accumulation that could affect traction, test brakes and steering in a controlled area before production use.
Hand and Power Tools: Pneumatic tools require antifreeze tool oil in freezing conditions. Battery-powered tools experience reduced runtime, plan for more frequent charging. CCOHS recommends covering metal handles with thermal insulating material to prevent contact injuries and maintain grip strength.
Material Integrity: If you poured concrete immediately before the storm, verify that proper cold-weather curing procedures were maintained. Check stored materials for moisture intrusion, ice damage, or displacement by snow loads. Inspect compressed gas cylinders for damage.
How to Manage Construction Crews After Severe Winter Events
NIOSH research shows that predictable work-rest cycles and clear communication reduce cold stress injuries and improve focus in winter conditions.
- Reset expectations with clients and ownership. Explain that safe restart procedures take time, and rushing creates risks.
- Account for reduced productivity in winter conditions. Work that took six hours in September might take eight hours in January. Build buffer time for continued snow removal, ice management, and equipment issues that emerge.
- Hold a site-specific safety meeting that addresses the actual conditions workers will face. Discuss specific hazards on this site today.
- Establish clear authority to stop work if conditions become unsafe. Temperatures can drop, freezing rain can start, or wind can pick up unexpectedly. Crews need to know they can stop work without penalty when weather makes continued operation dangerous.
Conclusion
Reopening a construction jobsite after an extreme snowstorm is a test of systems.
When safety is stabilized first, compliance documented second, and productivity phased in third, winter becomes manageable rather than chaotic.
If you need temporary fencing and winter-ready site-safety solutions, contact Broadfence.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Reopening Construction Jobsites After Snowstorms
What should you do after a winter storm?
Assess site conditions, control access, clear hazards, inspect equipment and perimeters, and document all findings before restarting work.
What are the 5 P’s of winter weather?
Proper planning, preparation, protection, performance monitoring, and post-storm inspection are commonly referenced winter safety principles.
How cold is too cold to work construction?
There is no universal cutoff. Risk depends on wind chill, exposure time, workload, and worker condition.
Do construction workers work through winter?
Many construction workers work through winter, particularly in infrastructure, utilities, and industrial projects.
At what temperature does OSHA say it is too cold to work?
OSHA does not set a specific temperature limit; instead, it requires employers to assess cold stress hazards and protect workers accordingly.
Sources:
- OSHA Winter Weather Safety
https://www.osha.gov/winter-weather - OSHA Cold Stress
https://www.osha.gov/cold-stress - CCOHS Cold Stress and Winter Work
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/cold_working.html - NIOSH Cold Stress Research
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress - Statistics Canada Workplace Injury Data
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-625-x/2017001/article/54861-eng.htm - Infrastructure Canada Construction Safety
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/alt-format/pdf/pub/other-autre/construction-safety-securite-construction-eng.pdf - AGC Winter Construction Guidance
https://www.agc.org/news/2023/01/17/winter-construction-safety-and-productivity - Canada.ca: Thermal Stress in the Workplace
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/health-safety/reports/thermal-stress-work-place.html - PBS News: Polar Vortex and Winter Storm Impacts
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/stretched-polar-vortex-moisture-and-a-lack-of-sea-ice-all-to-blame-for-dangerous-winter-blast-meteorologists-say
