Employers need to undertake additional risk assessments during extreme weather in order to ensure that sites are safe before work progresses.
Employers also need to ensure:
- Appropriate protective equipment is issued.
- Mobile facilities for warming up and warm fluids such as hot chocolate or soup are provided.
- The introduction of more frequent rest breaks.
- Workers are educated on recognising the early symptoms of cold stress/ early signs of hypothermia. These include shivering, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech, memory loss and pale cold skin.
(CD/KMcA)