Spring Warnings!
After a long winter every one is eager to launch into spring. March and April are transition months where temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day giving rise to special problems. **ALERT** Spring Warnings! The nights and mornings are still cold with ice and frost forming – particularly on cold surfaces like metal, concrete and wood. Many injuries occur in the spring and fall due to individuals being caught off guard by a slick surface. A frost covered board is a very slick surface!
Other Spring warnings are hard not to fall into what a beautiful day, it is easy to forget that a nice morning may end up being a cold, blustery, wet afternoon possibly leading to hypothermia or just a very unpleasant afternoon. Dress accordingly with access to plenty of layers that can be removed or added as the temperature changes and have some protection against rain, snow, sleet and hail.
As spring moves closer to summer another factor – lightning – is another Spring Warning, Extreme hazard awaits.
March and April, **ALERT** Spring Warning, are windy months and the wind combined with exertion can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water regularly and before you are thirsty. Another note about wind. I have been launched down the street along with the sheet of drywall I was carrying by a gust of wind. I watched two carpenters and their sheet of plywood get blown off a 2 story roof by a gust. Fortunately, neither one was hurt. Remember a 4’x8′ sheet of anything becomes a 32 square foot sail in the wind.
The spring sun **ALERT** Spring Warnings, can be quite intense and even though the temperature may be very pleasant sunburn can occur before you know it.
A final note – the ground tends to be much wetter in the spring. If working more than two feet below the surface **ALERT** Spring-Warnings, be extra aware of the possibility of a cave-in or slump. On average a cubic yard of dry dirt or soil is expected to weigh between 1890 to 2160 lbs while mud or wet dirt or soil is expected to weigh between 2808 to 3024 lbs. Plenty of weight to crush a human.
So this spring watch out for slick surfaces especially in the morning. Be conscious of the potential for big temperature swings and the possibility of moisture. Watch for thunderstorms, wind gusts, wet soils, drink plenty of water and don’t get burned!
Keep yourself updated with the weather sites: weather.com weatherbug.com
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