FEATURE
Rainy or icy weather makes surfaces slippery, increasing the risk of slips, trips and falls, which are particularly dangerous when working at height, or in close proximity to heavy machinery or dangerous substances. Wet and decaying leaves can increase the risk further, and can conceal other hazards found on a walkway.
To help reduce the chances of a slip, trip or fall injuring a worker, employers should: Provide staff with the right gear for working in cold weather - for instance, footwear and harnesses; ensure walkways are properly cleared, defrosted and gritted, with handrails in place where necessary; establish plenty of clearance between walkways and potentially dangerous objects or machinery; and put up signs to warn people where the risk of falling may be highest. Employers should also restrict working at height as much as possible, and conduct thorough risk assessments when this type of work is essential, as well as pay attention to keeping scaffolding, ladders and metallic walkways clear of ice and snow.
4) WORKING OFF-SITE Precautions and safety provisions are much hard to guarantee for those regularly working off-site in uncontrolled environments - drivers, delivery staff and those making house calls may be at particular risk.
Off-site workers should be properly trained on the additional risks they may face when out and about, and the precautions they should establish to create a safe working environment for themselves.
Employers should also maintain regular communication with those working off-site by checking in on their location and status regularly.
5) COLD-RELATED ILLNESSES Even if every other aspect of the worksite is safe, staff remain at risk of cold-related illnesses, such as cold stress, hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot and chilblains. If left unchecked, the consequences of these conditions can be serious. To reduce the risks, employers should: Make sure staff are provided with the right clothing; ensure everyone on-site is aware of the telltale symptoms of cold-related illnesses and discourage staff from trying to work through symptoms.
While providing staff with extra clothing and PPE during winter is essential, it can have a negative impact on their mobility. Overburdened employees may find it harder to work effectively, and the additional clothing can also lead to them becoming dehydrated more easily.
To help prevent any problems from arising, employers should make sure staff are equipped well enough to feel warm, but not to the degree that they are hindered in their movement. Staff should be provided with appropriate breaks when needed and access to regular refreshments to help them stay hydrated.
By being aware of the most common risks and pain points associated with working outdoors in winter, your organisation can maintain productivity even during the coldest times of the year, while keeping staff safe, motivated and happy.
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