Winter Working Safety

Winter weather introduces additional hazards including ice, frost, reduced daylight, cold stress, and poor visibility.
Hypothermia and cold stress can occur at surprisingly mild temperatures when workers are exposed to wind and wet.
Ice and frost on walkways, scaffolds, plant steps, and access roads cause a significant increase in slips and falls.
Reduced daylight means more work takes place in darkness, requiring adequate temporary lighting throughout the site.
Frozen ground can conceal hazards and affect excavation stability when it thaws, causing sudden ground movement.
Plant and equipment require additional checks in winter — frozen hydraulics, icy steps, and fogged windscreens cause incidents.
The wind chill factor makes the effective temperature much lower than the actual air temperature on exposed sites.
Snow loading on temporary structures, scaffolds, and roofs must be monitored and cleared when it accumulates.
Driving conditions deteriorate in winter — ice, fog, and rain increase the risk of vehicle incidents on site.
Adequate welfare including heated rest areas, drying rooms, and hot drinks must be available during cold weather.

Prevent cold injuries	Hypothermia and frostbite can develop rapidly in exposed workers — warm clothing, breaks, and heated welfare are essential.
Reduce slips and falls	Ice and frost on surfaces cause a dramatic increase in slip injuries — gritting and clearance must be proactive, not reactive.
Maintain visibility	Short winter days mean poor visibility — adequate lighting prevents trips, plant incidents, and missed hazards.

Do

Don't

Wear appropriate warm, layered clothing including thermal base layers and waterproofs.
Grit walkways, access routes, scaffold platforms, and steps before work starts each morning.
Inspect plant and equipment for frozen controls, icy steps, and fogged screens before use.
Ensure adequate temporary lighting is provided for all work areas and access routes.
Take regular warm-up breaks in heated welfare facilities throughout the shift.
Monitor weather forecasts and plan work activities around severe weather warnings.
Check scaffold ties and temporary structures for ice loading and wind damage daily.
Use appropriate de-icer on vehicle windscreens and mirrors before driving.
Report any frozen water supplies, blocked drains, or burst pipes immediately.
Wear hi-vis clothing with reflective strips for working in reduced daylight.

DON'T work in freezing conditions without adequate warm clothing and PPE.
DON'T walk on icy surfaces that have not been gritted or cleared of ice.
DON'T operate plant without checking for frozen controls and clearing ice from steps.
DON'T work in darkness or poor light without adequate temporary lighting in place.
DON'T skip warm-up breaks — cold stress develops gradually and impairs judgement.
DON'T ignore severe weather warnings — plan ahead and adjust work activities accordingly.
DON'T leave snow or ice to accumulate on scaffolds or temporary structures.
DON'T drive with frosted or fogged windscreens — clear all glass before moving off.
DON'T ignore signs of hypothermia in yourself or others — shivering and confusion are warnings.
DON'T assume that because it is cold, hazards like dust and noise are less important.

See also: Summer Heat & Hydration | Frozen Ground & Ice Hazards

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