Work Smart This Winter With CMT

The leaves are falling rapidly and the weather is beginning to turn. So far, it’s been a mild Autumn, but with the clocks changing and the days advancing, the wintry weather will kick in any time soon. For those working in the construction industry, staying safe and working efficiently are huge challenges in the winter months. That’s why at CMT we offer everything you need to get the job done, whatever the elements may throw at you.

Get to Grips with Ice & Snow

It might be of nature’s making, but when it comes to site safety, the pressure is on you to make sure that workers and visitors are protected from the dangers of ice on any site which you are responsible for. So what can be done to minimise the danger? The simplest way to reduce the risk caused by ground ice is spreading salt. Salt melts ice essentially because adding salt lowers the freezing point of the water. But how does this melt ice? Technically it doesn't, unless there is a little water available with the ice. Luckily, in the relatively light climate of Britain, ice is typically is coated with a thin film of liquid water, which is all it takes. Apart from your efforts, of course. We stock 20kg bags of rock salt at unbeatable prices. If you are responsible for larger sites or covering multiple locations regularly, we’d seriously recommend investing in a Mobile Salt Spreader, which will ensure you get even coverage and maximum efficiency for a minimum of effort. Whilst heavy snowfalls are thankfully a rare occurrence in Britain, site owners and managers do, nonetheless, need to be prepared - preferably before weather warnings have seen all stocks of snow scoops and shovels vanish. Another challenge on those wintry mornings is deicing windscreens. Nobody enjoys having to start their day scraping away at the ice before they can drive to work. And if your job involves ensuring a multitude of construction vehicles are up and running for the day ahead, you won’t want to do this unassisted. De-icing spray is a simple and fast way to tackle the ice and is more than sufficient for use in the UK, where temperatures rarely drop to below the 10°C working threshold of most standard formulas. Top Tip - Spray lubricants such as WD40 can be used to pre-treat vehicle locks and hinges from freezing up if a big chill is forecast

Dress for the Weather

Another key aspect of staying safe in winter is dressing for the elements. Come rain or snow, staying adequately warm and dry is essential to maintaining the health. In the safety conscious world we live in, it’s easy to focus on protecting the public and easy to neglect ourselves. At CMT, we stock a range of winter clothing to keep you covered. A high-vis jacket is a legal requirement for the majority of construction workers, and even if not explicitly required for a given job, it is still highly recommended in the dark and gloomy winter months. Our padded hi-vis bomber jackets are guaranteed to give you all the protection you need from the winter chills. They come in a full range of sizes all at exceptional prices. A Pulsar Padded Storm Coat is another great winter warmer. If it is just the rain you need to beat, then our Top Tip - Be sure to keep a spare pare of socks in your glove compartment or workbag. Pack them in a plastic ziplock food bag to guarantee they are always dry. Whatever you need to stay warm and safe on site this winter, you can trust CMT to  stock it. Why waste time looking any further? Visit our special winter essentials category now to see the full range.