Blog

November 1, 2018

Winter is Coming – are you ready for the road?

Safety on the job is important to CFMS.  CFMS Project Managers spend a lot of time on the road, which has it’s risks come winter.  Read Allan (AJ) Hearn’s blog on being winter ready for those drives to and from site – some handy tips for those of you in the same industry as us who will be on the road whatever the season:

As another season of warm weather comes to a close, we at CFMS are looking ahead to boiler start-ups, heating plant verifications and a litany of other tasks that the Canadian winter brings to commissioning agents. Although these responsibilities are the focal point of our days, they are not the only concerns that the changing seasons bring. Travelling to and from different construction sites means winter driving, and preparation is key.

Once outdoor air temperatures drop consistently below 7°C, it is time to install winter tires on your vehicle. As the treads are higher and more flexible than summer or all season tires, they provide better traction and more crisp response times in snowy weather. Installing them too early can result in quicker wear and a more sluggish response time if the outdoor air temperature is too high. As well, ensure to install full sets of 4 tires when possible. Having only 2 winter tires on the rear axle of a vehicle can lead to understeering due to decreased grip in the front, and 2 winter tires on the front axle can create a false sense of security and allow for oversteering.

There are a number of other ways to ensure both you and your vehicle are winter-ready.

  • Ensure you have winter wiper blades installed as they are heavier duty than summer blades and will clear snow and ice more efficiently.
  • Check that your windshield washer fluid reservoir is full, and that you have washer fluid designed for low temperatures. Winter washer fluid contains an anti-freeze agent that prevents it from freezing down to a certain temperature which can be found displayed on the bottle.
  • When there is significant snowfall, clear snow and ice from all windows, mirrors and both the roof and hood of the vehicle. While clearing windows and mirrors provides proper sight lines for driving, not clearing the hood and roof leaves snow and ice to fly off of the vehicle at high speeds and endangers the drivers around you.
  • Keep a winter survival kit in the vehicle. If you break down or are involved in an accident, depending on where you are emergency services may take some time getting to you. Items to have in the kit range from flares, jumper cables, flashlights and a shovel to extra clothing, blankets and non-perishable food items.

This is a short and non-comprehensive list for winter driving preparation. Always tell someone where you are going, keep your cell phone charged and on your person, and be extra vigilant of the people around you as that is the one factor you cannot prepare for.

Be safe this season!  We will see you on site!

Allan (AJ) Hearn

Why Commissioning