Winter has arrived in full force. And, regardless of where you reside in Australia, you’re probably shivering on the job site.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the average June temperature in Canberra is only 1oC. The highest temperatures aren’t promising either, with Hobart, Melbourne, and Canberra all reporting temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. The good news is that there are methods to remain warm at work while avoiding the bitter cold.
How do you stay warm throughout the winter? If you can’t tolerate the cold, a certificate like a Diploma in Building and Construction might help you advance into management and keep warm indoors. However, if that’s not an option or something of interest to you, here are some top tips for staying warm as a tradie during winter.
1. Wear lots of layers
The first tip is to reconsider your work clothing when the weather drops. Swap your singlets for long-sleeved shirts, and maybe add a beanie and gloves to your standard attire. Check that your new workwear fulfils safety requirements and doesn’t get in the way of you completing your job.
Adding a light undershirt and thicker socks are two more unexpectedly useful approaches. Just don’t wear full thermals since you’ll struggle to cool down after a few hours of labour. Choose layers that you can take on and off as required, and wearing a t-shirt underneath will come in handy if you have to spend a lot of time indoors.
Showerproof hoodies are a great way to keep the wind out and protect yourself from light rain, and a good pair of waterproof boots can’t be beaten. Check if the grip is strong enough to resist even the most extreme slippery or icy conditions. They’ll not only last you for years, but they’ll almost certainly be tax-deductible as well. It’s a win-win situation.
2. Eat Healthily
What you eat may not immediately seem of significance in terms of your ability to keep warm (although a thermos of coffee or a hot lunch won’t hurt), but it may be quite crucial when it comes to preventing illness.
To help fight off those terrible germs that spread like wildfire on a jobsite, you can try increasing your vegetable consumption. Because, in addition to being inconvenient, sick days can result in missed pay for self-employed or non-permanent tradies.
It’s also worth noting that quick, dramatic temperature fluctuations might appear to have a role to play in making you ill and feverish. So those extra layers mentioned before aren’t simply for comfort; they’re also to keep you from becoming ill.
There’s no reason to put your health last, whether you’re employed full-time, taking building and construction courses, or performing contract employment.
3. Get a thick skin
Anyone who has ever worn pants to work will know that doing so is associated with one drawback: a few snide remarks from co-workers. When they’re shivering through those 6 a.m. starts in their summer shorts, you’ll be the one laughing. What’s the harm in a strange remark if it means a few extra degrees of warmth?
4. Do your homework
Investing in yourself and upskilling by studying building and construction courses, such as the popular Diploma of Building and Construction, is perhaps the finest suggestion for any tradesperson hoping to come out of the cold in the long run (Building). This is the crucial credential that will determine whether you spend a lifetime shivering on the job or climbing the corporate ladder from the luxury of a heated office.
There are also benefits in the short run. Ask your boss whether you may start your training part-time by taking one day a week or more. It means you won’t have to wait to improve your job chances, and they’ll profit from the skills you’ll master throughout your Diploma in Building & Construction (Building). You may also learn from the convenience of your own home by taking construction courses online.
5. Recognize when you’ve had enough
Extreme weather should also be cause enough for everyone to take a break from work until the storm passes. Whether it’s hurricane winds, hail, or ice conditions, your company should have a weather policy in place that tells you when to lay down the tools, switch off the machinery, and go inside.
Working as a self-employed tradie?
Do you have insurance for tradesman in place?
Tradesperson insurance is a form of commercial insurance that offers specialised coverage for the hazards that experienced tradespeople encounter.
Having the necessary insurance in place ensures that you can keep functioning if the unexpected occurs, whether you accidentally damage a customer’s property or an employee is wounded on the job.
Some providers may allow you to customise your policy to incorporate several forms of coverage for your company, such as public liability and employers’ liability insurance.