Land surveying is already difficult as it is—but imagine doing that in the middle of winter. It can be challenging to perform surveying tasks during the winter season due to various reasons. From safety hazards to low visibility, professional surveyors need to exert effort to work accurately and efficiently. In this blog post, we will discuss many unique challenges that winter brings for surveyors.
Snow and Frozen Ground
One of the biggest challenges of land surveying in winter is the snowy and frozen ground. Heavy snowfall will cover roads, which makes it challenging to access certain areas. Snow and ice can obstruct boundary lines, markers, and physical fences. This hinders land surveyors from locating and accurately identifying boundaries. When there’s frozen ground, setting up equipment takes longer since the ground may be too hard to dig into. That’s why survey errors are more likely to occur during the winter season.
To locate boundary lines, surveyors rely on old records and maps. They may also clear snow and ice in order to proceed with their tasks.
Cold Temperatures
Professional surveyors spend the majority of their outdoors. When the temperature drops, it’s difficult to work long hours outside due to extreme temperatures. Staying on-site for long periods can be quite uncomfortable for land surveyors. They find it hard to maintain focus and productivity, which could affect the quality and accuracy of their measurements. To prevent hypothermia and frostbite, they need to take frequent breaks and wear proper gear to warm up and stay comfortable.
Poor Visibility
Reduced visibility due to snow and fog is one of the challenges of winter land surveying. During winter, fog forms when the water droplets condense or freeze in the air. Over time, this phenomenon lowers visibility. Locating property markers and boundaries becomes too arduous and burdensome. However, surveyors can still complete their work by following safety hazards and using different tools.
GPS surveying can still be performed even when it’s snowing outside. Adverse weather conditions in winter will not significantly affect GPS reception. Other equipment like laser rangefinders and total stations can also help locate boundary lines.
Winter Solstice
During the winter months, the Earth’s axis is tilted away from the sun. This means that the northern hemisphere gets less sunlight than the other half of the Earth. When days are shorter, land surveyors have less time to complete their tasks. They have to work in a time crunch and finish the survey before sunset. With tight deadlines, surveyors must work efficiently in order to meet the established timeframes. Shorter days can add mental strain and stress to the surveyors, thus negatively impacting their productivity and performance.
Survey Equipment Malfunctions
Cold temperatures and moisture can cause survey equipment to malfunction. When batteries dry faster or equipment starts to fail, the surveying process slows down. Aside from project delays, the survey equipment and tools are at risk of damage. Professional surveyors take additional steps like carrying spare batteries and storing the tools properly to minimize equipment malfunctions. Regular maintenance of survey equipment will also allow them to withstand cold temperatures.
Safety Hazards
Winter weather conditions can pose various safety concerns. When land surveyors are exposed to cold temperatures, they might experience frostbite, cold-induced rhinitis, and trench foot. Dressing appropriately for the weather is crucial to protect them against the cold. They may need additional safety gear like snowshoes, shoes with slip-resistant soles, hard hats, and portable heaters.
Another safety hazard during winter is slippery conditions that make it difficult to walk and navigate the site. Slip-and-fall accidents are common in the colder months. Here are the safety precautions that professionals take when completing winter land surveying:
- Conducting a thorough assessment of the job site and terrain
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and cold-weather gear
- Regularly checking and maintaining the survey equipment and tools
- Setting contingency plans for emergencies in winter
Bottom Line
Despite these challenges, it’s still possible to conduct land surveying with the right preparation and equipment. Don’t let the harsh weather conditions slow down your project. If you need comprehensive surveying services during the winter, turn to Pittsburgh Land Surveyors. We have the experience and the latest technology to overcome these challenges. Our team performs as-built surveys, flood elevation certification, ALTA surveys, and more. Contact us today to get started with your land survey project!
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