“Winter’s coming”. I had to chuckle a bit when I heard one of our superintendents utter these words. Mind you, it was the middle of May and 95 degrees outside. A quick snow storm would have been a welcome respite from the brutal Midwestern summer heat. Now, looking back, his proclamation doesn’t seem so far-fetched after all. As we approach mid-October and enjoy the cool, crisp autumn weather, we Indiana residents know what lies just around the corner: ice, snow, sleet, freezing temperatures, and all the other fun stuff that Mother Nature will throw at us in the upcoming months.
While the winter elements can often be a thing of beauty, this time of the year can present a difficult test to construction firms. Being an Indiana-based contractor, The Hagerman Group is quite familiar with the challenges posed by winter weather. Maintaining a project schedule is key, as clients do not want to hear excuses about adverse weather conditions. Oftentimes, this involves performing activities that are not typically meant to be done in cold temperatures, such as pouring concrete. To combat the effects of the temperatures, temporary heat is utilized in the form of propane heaters and tent-type enclosures. As one might expect, this can be a costly venture. However, some careful pre-planning and prior experience can certainly help ease the burden substantially.
The main priority on a Hagerman jobsite during the winter months remains the same as in all other months: safety. Snow and ice obviously present slippery conditions, and workers are encouraged to take extra precaution to ensure that everyone goes home at night unscathed.
So enjoy the fall weather while you still can, because we all know the inevitable truth…winter’s coming.
Project Engineer
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