Why December Increases Jobsite Risk

Several year-end pressures converge on construction and industrial sites:

• End-of-year push: Milestones, billing targets, and “let’s get this wrapped up” attitudes encourage rushing and shortcuts.
• Holiday distractions: Travel plans, money stress, and family issues pull attention away from the work in front of you.
• Short days, poor visibility: More work happens in the dark, with glare, shadows, and weather limiting visibility.
• Fatigue and overtime: Longer hours and fewer days off mean slower reaction times and more mental lapses.

Recognizing these risks is the first step. The second is building habits that keep you mentally present even when your mind wants to wander.

Staying Mentally Present In The Cab

Think of it as “arriving mentally,” not just punching in:

• Pre-shift reset: Take 5 minutes before you start. Review your tasks, the equipment you’re running, and what’s different today (weather, layout, other trades).
• No phones while operating: Treat the cab like a cockpit. No calls, texts, or scrolling with the machine running or in gear.
• Control the pace: If you catch yourself rushing, pause, breathe, and plan the move before you execute it.
• Speak up: If you’re exhausted, distracted, or uneasy about a lift or maneuver, tell your supervisor and ask for help, lighting, or a spotter.

Back to Basics: Operation and Site Safety

Year-end is the time to tighten up fundamentals, not loosen them:

• Perform and document full pre-use inspections. Don’t “make do” with marginal equipment.
• Prioritize visibility and pedestrian safety: working lights, alarms, spotters, and clear exclusion zones.
• Respect load charts, ground conditions, and weather. Slow down on ice, snow, or mud and avoid sudden turns or stops with raised loads.
• Keep steps, handrails, windows, and mirrors clean and ice-free to prevent slips and improve visibility.

Finish the Year the Right Way

Everyone wants to go into the holidays healthy. That means:

• No rushing for the calendar.
• No shortcuts on inspections or procedures.
• Full attention on every lift, every move, every shift.

Finishing the year without accidents is the best gift you can give yourself, your crew, and your family.

From all of us at Opifex-Synergy, we wish you a happy and safe holiday.