Guide

The big restart: how to prepare your jobsite for spring

Chantier de construction en cours de redémarrage avec structure en briques, ouvriers au travail et équipements au sol.

After a work stoppage, restarting a jobsite requires careful planning to avoid setbacks and maximize efficiency. Changing weather conditions, equipment maintenance, and material logistics — several factors must be considered to ensure a safe and smooth restart. Here are the key steps to get your construction project back on track under the best possible conditions.

Step 1: Assess Your Jobsite

Before restarting work, a thorough inspection is essential.

Site Conditions

Is the ground accessible? Are there muddy areas, standing water, or unstable soil that could complicate access for machinery and workers?

Temporary Structures

Are the temporary structures still safe? Check if fences, scaffolding, walkways, and signage are still in place and in good condition after the break.

Stored Equipment

Is the stored equipment still functional? Has it been damaged by weather, moisture, or prolonged disuse? Should maintenance be scheduled before putting it back into service?

A detailed assessment helps anticipate repairs and avoid costly delays.

Step 2: Match Your Equipment to Site Conditions

Resuming work can be complicated by tough ground conditions — unstable soil, muddy areas, standing water, or temperature fluctuations. It's essential to plan for the right equipment to maintain both safety and productivity.

Managing Excess Water

Drainage pumps and drying systems are essential if moisture has built up on the site during the shutdown.

Stabilizing Access Points

Compaction plates and access mats make it easier for workers and machinery to move around on soft or uneven ground.

Securing Work at Height

Inspecting and maintaining scaffolding, lifts, and ladders is critical to preventing accidents.

Supporting Smooth Operations

Temporary shelters, heaters, or fans may be needed depending on weather conditions.

Properly assessing your equipment needs from the very start helps avoid disruptions and ensures more efficient work on site.

Step 3: Prioritize Compliance and Safety on Your Jobsite

After a work stoppage, it's crucial to ensure everything is up to code. Addressing these aspects in advance helps prevent incidents and ensures a safe, compliant working environment.

Team Training and Certifications

Are your crews up to date on required training and certifications? Do all workers still hold valid accreditations to operate equipment or perform specific tasks (working at height, operating machinery)?

Safety Checks for Equipment and Machinery

Have tools and machines been inspected? Do they need servicing or a safety check to ensure they're in proper working condition?

Site Access and Traffic Plan Adjustments

Are access points and pathways safe? Is the current site plan still appropriate for the conditions, or should access routes and storage areas be updated?

A safe jobsite is a more productive jobsite. It’s always better to prevent issues than to manage emergencies later.

Ouvrier sur échafaudage avec harnais de sécurité, illustrant l’importance de la formation au travail en hauteur sur les chantiers.

Safety starts with training.

Avoid incidents by making sure your teams have the right skills. Simplex offers hands-on training for a hassle-free restart.

Discover our training programs tailored to your on-site needs.

Learn more

Step 4: Optimize Your Logistics to Avoid Delays

Restarting a jobsite also means managing the flow of materials and personnel efficiently. A smooth restart depends on effective planning of both resources and supplies.

Check Material Availability with Your Suppliers

Are all the required materials available? Do any items need to be ordered in advance to avoid delays?

Schedule Equipment Deliveries to Prevent Shortages

Is the necessary equipment ready to use? Do changing site conditions require new tools or machines to be delivered?

Good to know: With Simplex, you can reserve your equipment in advance and have it delivered directly to your site — a guaranteed time-saver.

Coordinate Work Phases to Maximize Productivity

Is the work schedule clearly communicated to everyone? Has the task sequencing been reviewed to ensure a smooth and efficient restart?

Step 5: Kick Off Your Jobsite with Confidence

Once all these steps are complete, it’s time to get started!

With thorough preparation, your project can resume under the best possible conditions — minimizing surprises and maximizing efficiency on site.