If you’re working outdoors in Minnesota during the winter season, you’ll likely be completing tasks in a cold environment. In some cases, you could experience hypothermia or frostbite in a matter of minutes if you aren’t properly prepared to be in an outdoor environment. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to avoid a serious injury while removing snow or completing a construction project in January or February.
Make sure that you have the proper clothing on
At a minimum, you should wear a hat, gloves and a jacket that will cover your entire torso. Furthermore, you should wear waterproof boots that provide extra traction while walking on surfaces covered by ice, slush or snow. It may also be in your best interest to wear multiple layers of clothing underneath your work pants or jacket.
Make sure that you have the proper equipment for the job
If you are tasked with clearing snow from a parking lot, driveway or sidewalk, it may be best to do so with a snow blower as opposed to trying to shovel it by hand. Doing so helps prevent you from overexerting yourself, which could result in muscle sprains, muscle strains or even a heart attack. It is also important to inspect any machines used outdoors to ensure that they can be operated safely and efficiently. Taking these steps may be the easiest way to minimize your odds of getting hurt and needing to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Don’t drink alcohol
It is a common misconception that drinking alcohol will make your body warmer. Although you may feel impervious to the cold, your body’s core temperature will continue to drop with each drink that you consume. Ideally, you’ll stick to warm drinks while working outside.
If you are hurt at work, an attorney may help with your workers’ compensation claim. An attorney may also be able to assist in the process of expediting the claim process or determining why your request for benefits was denied.
