Page 3 - November 2022 Track N Times
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FEATURE STORY
Safely Navigating The Winter Months
By Kyle Wesley, Manager Rail Grinding
With the winter months upon us, I thought it would be good to refresh what it takes to be successful
in battling the cold and snow. Our jobs are demanding and require a lot of focus, so being prepared
to work outside during the winter will allow us to maintain that focus while not letting the elements
get to us. So, lets dive right in:
1. Dress warmly – it seems like a no brainer right, but there are a lot of factors that come into play
here to allow you to be as warm as possible.
• Dress in Layers – You want to wear
enough layers to keep yourself warm but
not too many that you make it difficult to
move. Adding a wind and waterproof top
layer can greatly increase your comfort.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing – This helps to
promote circulation and allows for warm
blood to reach all parts of your body.
• Protect your head and neck – Both of
these areas are prone to losing heat rapidly
so we must make sure we wear an insulat-
ed hat, balaclava, or something to protect
these vital areas.
• Proper Footwear – warm feet are happy feet. Don’t try to make your summer boots last
just a bit longer. Also, when snow and ice come into the mix, make sure we have the
proper ice cleats or over boots to prevent slips, trips and falls. These are usually required
by the railroads.
2. Work in Pairs – This is just a good practice to get into and is a safe work practice to follow in the
winter months. This allows you and your partner to keep an eye on each other and allows some-
one to be there to assist in case of an emergency.
3. Warm up, take breaks – Take breaks to warm up and refocus. Trying to push through to get the
job done is not the path we should be taking. By taking the time to warm up and refocus we can
make sure we aren’t taking short cuts or doing things we normally wouldn’t.
4. Prepare your vehicle – We often work in remote areas and one thing our vehicles should always
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