5 Cold Weather Lifting Hazards You Can’t Ignore

Crane lifts don’t stop for snow but cold weather changes the game. Learn five hidden winter risks and how to protect your crew and equipment.

Snow Doesn’t Stop the Work—But It Does Change the Rules

When you’re staring down a lift in 20° weather with wind cutting across the yard, the job doesn’t wait. But neither do the risks.

At Patriot Lifting, we’ve tackled everything from 110-ton lifts in the harsh cold weather. If there’s one thing we’ve learned: winter doesn’t just make lifting harder it makes it riskier.

Here are five winter hazards we see every year, and how to keep them from slowing you down or shutting you down.

1. Brittle Rigging Gear Can Snap When It’s Freezing

Cold makes materials contract and lose flexibility. That trusted sling you used all summer? It might not survive a -10°F morning lift.

What to watch for:

• Cracking or stiffness in synthetic slings

• Steel cables that don’t flex easily

• Eyelets and hooks that feel rigid or brittle

  
  

Fix it before it fails:

• Use cold-rated equipment certified for your environment

• Rotate out high-use gear more frequently

• Warm up components in a heated trailer before use

2. Snow + Ice on Loads = A Recipe for Slip & Swing

Ever tried to lift a slick steel panel with a frozen strap? Not a good idea. Loads can slide, twist, or swing just enough to throw the whole lift off balance.

Danger zones:

• Ice under the load’s contact points

• Frozen rigging hooks or pins

• Icy crane decks or outriggers

Your move:

• Scrape and clear all surfaces, not just visible snow

• Use de-icing sprays on decks and rigging

• Add anti-slip matting where possible

  
  

3. Hydraulics Don’t Like the Cold Either

You warm up your truck so why wouldn’t your crane need it too?

Symptoms of cold stress:

• Slow boom response

• Choppy or inconsistent lift action

• Alarms for delayed load engagement

How to prevent it:

• Warm equipment for 20–30 minutes before major lifts

• Use winter-blended hydraulic fluid

• Run test lifts with dummy weight if conditions are extreme

4. Fogged Windshields & Early Darkness Kill Visibility

From the cab to the crew on the ground, everyone needs a clear line of sight. But in winter? That’s not a guarantee.

Visibility killers:

• Fogged or frosted cab glass

• Early nightfall (hello, 5:30 PM)

• Glare from snow reflecting lights

Stay clear and safe:

• Keep cabs heated or use film defrosters

• Set up floodlights around the lift zone

• Use reflective gear and signal flags for spotters.

5. Slip Hazards Turn Your Site Into a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen

You know what slows down a job worse than frozen gear? A crew member hitting the ground because of an invisible ice patch.

Common ice traps:

• Rigging paths

• Stairwells and ladders

• Around crane bases or dunnage

Make safety part of your loadout:

• Use salt or grit before the crew arrives

• Equip boots with slip-resistant cleats

• Assign one “ice spotter” to monitor during shift

Cold Is Tough. Being Prepared Is Tougher.

Winter jobs test your gear, your crew, and your patience. But when you plan right, check often, and gear up smart—you win the season.

At Patriot Lifting, we’re proud to be the crew that doesn’t back down from a cold front.