’Tis The Season For Winter Weather Safety

We’ve often highlighted the myriad opportunities awaiting young people on this nation’s waterways—not only the ability to earn a good salary without a degree, but a life of teamwork and purpose, with opportunities to grow.

Safety culture is part of the story, too—and the winter season accentuates that fact.

Few jobs anymore require much outdoor time, but working on a towboat is one of them. New deckhands, especially those from warmer climates (i.e., the South), should brace themselves for their first winter on the rivers.

Snow and freezing conditions are coming earlier than usual to the upper rivers, which could lead to ice gorges in which chunks of broken ice pile up. Activity slows once the navigation season ends on the Upper Mississippi, but it doesn’t stop completely.

Freezing rain, sleet, snow, frost and condensation on steel create slipping hazards, with frost accumulating most heavily before sunrise and after dark on handrails, ladders, fittings, tow knees and barge gunnels. Black ice can form on boats and barges, just as it can on roads during the winter, causing a major risk for slips and falls. Mooring lines become stiffer and heavier in cold weather, increasing handling strain and snap-back severity. Non-skid deck coatings lose effectiveness when ice forms.

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has released cold weather operations recommendations relayed from member companies, along with organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and National Safety Council. AWO broke the recommendations down into cautions for slips, trips and falls on frozen decks, barges and piers; falls overboard in cold conditions; hypothermia, frostbite and cold stress; cold effects on equipment creating secondary injury risk; driving to and from the vessel in winter; long-haul vessel travel into colder environments; and snow blindness.

Crewmembers should never go out on deck without letting a buddy know. They are well advised to bring a handheld radio. A thermal base layer with warm clothing on top of it, including a winter hat, gloves, insulated overalls, thick or doubled socks and a thick, heavy jacket with a hood, are necessities. A ski mask is helpful for protecting the face. Crews should come inside and warm up at regular intervals.

When on deck, crews must slow down and test footing before committing weight. Pro-actively clearing snow and applying non-corrosive deck salt before work begins is recommended. Always remember to maintain three points of contact when climbing, stepping across equipment or transitioning between vessels and tow. Ice spikes—unheard of in the South—should be worn when conditions warrant to provide traction on frozen steel. Ladders must be inspected for frost and ice before every use. Wet or frozen gloves compromise grip strength.

Risk factors or hypothermia include wind chill, low humidity, heavy labor, wet clothing and lack of recent cold exposure. Wet clothing and boots can dramatically increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Wind chill accelerates heat loss even at moderate ambient temperatures.

That’s a lot to digest, especially for the inexperienced. With the proper precautions and mentorship, though, mariners can stay safe and comfortable on the rivers and waterways even during the winter season.