WINTER MAINTENANCE
Peripheral components shouldn’t be neglected either – replacing bulbs in outside lighting and cleaning signage and security cameras are just a few minor tasks that should be factored into a maintenance schedule. Bolt inspections and non- destructive testing (NDT) are also important to consider when planning winter upkeep, as they can play an important part in both structural integrity and worker safety.
Make safety a priority Tricky weather conditions can bring a whole host of challenges when it comes to winter maintenance, making the working environment more hazardous than usual. FMs have to contend with access difficulties, operational disruption and tough timescales all year round. But with the possibility of snow, heavy rain, high winds and freezing temperatures, additional care clearly needs to be taken by technicians conducting on- site maintenance.
“Learning from the obstacles encountered and using these
lessons to inform plans going forwards will only improve future programmes.”
In advance of the season, any fall protection equipment should be inspected to ensure it is in full working order. And if there are areas that might need to be accessed that aren’t yet fitted with such safety measures, the installation of restraint or arrest systems should certainly be considered. When work is in progress, monitoring the weather is essential, as is wrapping up warm and ensuring that extra care is taken where there is ice or snow.
Learn from the challenges Experience is the best teacher, so learning from the obstacles encountered and using these lessons to inform plans going forwards will only improve future winter maintenance programmes. In hindsight, it’s likely that there will be certain jobs that would have been better undertaken before winter arrived. Rather than kicking themselves, FMs should use these productively and factor them into their planning for next time.
It’s a good idea to retain documentation of all works carried out, so these can be used as a reference point for subsequent projects. And if any unexpected issues did crop up, remembering to prepare for these in advance can help avoid similar disruption in the future.
www.accessnorth.co.uk www.tomorrowsfm.com TOMORROW’S FM | 47
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