March marks a turning point on most construction sites. Winter conditions are easing, daylight hours are increasing, and project schedules often push crews to pick up the pace. But transitional weather creates its own hazards. Mud, rain, unpredictable temperatures, and rapidly changing site conditions catch workers off guard when their attention shifts toward making up lost time.
The timing works in your favor, too. Several national safety weeks and awareness campaigns fall in March, giving safety leaders a natural reason to revisit fundamentals that might otherwise get lost in the daily push to keep projects moving. Whether you’re running a quick morning huddle or a formal safety stand-down, this article can help keep crews focused on what matters most this month.
Ladder Safety and Fall Prevention
Falls remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry and one of OSHA’s Focus Four hazards. Ladder incidents account for a significant portion of those falls, which is why the American Ladder Institute dedicates this month to National Ladder Safety Month.
Most ladder accidents trace back to predictable causes: wrong ladder for the job, improper setup, or skipped inspections. A worker grabs the nearest ladder instead of selecting one with the right duty rating. Someone leans too far instead of repositioning. An extension ladder gets set at too steep an angle. These small decisions add up.
Foremen can address this by making ladder selection and inspection part of the daily startup routine. Walk crews through the 4:1 setup rule for extension ladders. Reinforce three-point contact every time someone climbs. Verify that ladders on site match the duty rating required for the work.
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Workplace Eye Wellness and Protection
Approximately 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries requiring medical treatment every day, and many of those injuries happen on construction sites. Prevent Blindness highlights this risk through Workplace Eye Wellness Month, observed each year in March.
Construction exposes workers to flying debris, dust, chemical splashes, welding flash, and UV radiation. Eye injuries often result from workers not wearing the right protection for the specific task. Safety glasses stop debris, but they won’t protect against chemical splashes or fine particulates. Goggles, face shields, and shaded lenses each serve different purposes.
Spring conditions can make things worse. Wind kicks up dust and debris. Increased outdoor work means more UV exposure. Remind crews to match eye protection to the hazard and keep spare PPE accessible at work areas. Prescription glasses alone do not meet OSHA requirements.
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Slips, Trips, and Falls on Transitional Surfaces
As snow melts and spring rains arrive, construction sites become muddy and unpredictable. BLS data shows that construction has a higher rate of slip, trip, and fall injuries than any other private industry. Transitional weather makes these hazards worse.
Conditions shift throughout the day. A walkway that was solid at 6 a.m. turns slick by mid-morning as frost melts. Mud accumulates in high-traffic areas. Entryways and transition zones between indoor and outdoor work collect moisture that nobody thinks to address until someone goes down.
Superintendents should treat surface conditions as a daily variable. Walk the site early and stage absorbent material or ice melt where needed. Consider requiring slip-resistant footwear for crews working in exposed areas. Encourage workers to report hazardous conditions immediately rather than working around them.
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Fatigue Management and Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time typically falls in mid-March, and research consistently shows that the time change disrupts sleep patterns and increases workplace incidents in the days that follow. Even a one-hour loss of sleep affects alertness, reaction time, and decision-making. For workers operating heavy equipment, working at heights, or handling energized systems, that impairment creates real risk.
Spring also brings schedule pressure. Project teams push to make up time lost to winter weather. Overtime hours increase. Crews work longer days as daylight extends. All of this compounds the fatigue problem.
Acknowledge the time change in your toolbox talks during the week it happens. Encourage crews to adjust their sleep schedules gradually and watch for signs of fatigue: slow reactions, missed steps, and short tempers. Consider staggered start times or extra breaks in the days immediately following the transition. The NSC’s fatigue research offers additional guidance for safety leaders trying to address this issue systematically.
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Hazard Communication and Poison Prevention
National Poison Prevention Week occurs in mid-March, making it a good time to revisit hazard communication practices on your jobsite. On busy projects with multiple trades working in close proximity, workers often encounter chemicals or substances they didn’t expect. Coatings, sealants, adhesives, and cleaning products all increase as projects accelerate into spring.
Clear hazard communication protects crews from accidental exposure. Reinforce labeling practices and make sure Safety Data Sheets are accessible where chemicals are actually used, not just filed in a trailer. When multiple contractors share work areas, coordination becomes even more important. A subcontractor’s cleaning solvent shouldn’t surprise another trade’s crew.
Review emergency response procedures for chemical spills or exposure during your next safety meeting. Post the poison control hotline (1-800-222-1222) visibly on site. Poison Prevention Week resources from HRSA can support broader awareness efforts.
Additional Reading
Brain Injury Awareness and Head Protection
Traumatic brain injuries remain a serious concern in construction, where falls and struck-by incidents are leading causes. According to the CDC, TBIs can result from impacts that seem minor at the time but lead to lasting cognitive effects. Brain Injury Awareness Month, observed each March, brings attention to this often-overlooked risk.
Hard hats remain one of the most basic and effective forms of protection, but only if they’re worn consistently and maintained properly. Helmets should be inspected regularly and replaced after any significant impact, even if no visible damage appears. Crews should also know the warning signs of concussion: headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and sensitivity to light. Symptoms don’t always show up immediately.
Establish a clear protocol for reporting head impacts. Make sure workers understand that “walking it off” isn’t acceptable when a potential brain injury is involved.
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Spring Weather and Emergency Preparedness
March weather is notoriously unpredictable. Severe storms, high winds, and rapid temperature swings can disrupt operations and create immediate hazards with little warning. Spring is also tornado season in many parts of the country.
High winds pose particular risks on construction sites. Crane operations, scaffolding, and unsecured materials all become hazards when gusts pick up. Muster points and evacuation routes established earlier in the project may no longer make sense as site conditions change.
Monitor weather forecasts daily and communicate conditions to crews before work begins. Review your emergency response plan and verify that first-aid supplies are stocked and accessible. OSHA’s severe weather guidance provides additional resources for developing site-specific protocols.
Additional Reading
Strengthen Your March Safety Program
From ladder safety to emergency preparedness, the topics above connect to real risks crews face as winter ends and project schedules accelerate. Each one aligns with a national awareness campaign or a seasonal shift that makes it especially relevant this month.
Safety Mojo helps safety leaders run better toolbox talks, track leading indicators, and keep crews aligned with the safety program without slowing down production. If you’re looking for a smarter way to manage safety across complex, multi-contractor projects, book a demo to see how it works.
