Keeping our clients and their employees safe is always our top priority throughout the year.

As we head into a cold, wintery few days, we wanted to share a reminder of the winter basics you need to know, in addition to your usual good practice H&S procedures, to keep you and your workers safe during Winter.

Let’s begin with site inspections – Inspecting your sites and completing Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work is something we do all year around for our clients, but we cannot stress the importance of having these done more frequently during winter months. Pay particular attention to increased risks during snow and or ice, for any hidden obstructions, and check good lighting is provided throughout the day – especially in the darker mornings and nights.

With regards to keeping warm and visible – if your workers are working outside and exposed to the elements most of the working day, provide a warmly heated dry area for rests and breaks. Encourage your team to stay hydrated; provide facilities where warm drinks and food can be prepared. It’s important also to provide high visible and warm clothing.

Looking after your vehicles and drivers during the winter is also important; statistics show an increased number of crashes happen on icy, slushy, snowy or wet roads. Workers who are likely to have to drive should check tyre conditions and pressure, windscreen wash, ensuring that windscreens are fully cleared before beginning their journey. Basic good practice is essential for machine operators in hazardous winter conditions. Good lighting should be ensured, along with wearing high vis clothing, appropriate signage, and using barriers or cones. Remember that icy conditions can develop on a site, as well as on the road.

Anyone working at height is at risk of height-related injuries all year-round. However, snow and ice make surfaces slippery and increase the risk of a fall. Snow can also conceal sharp objects and other debris. Workers need to be aware of potential hazards such as hidden wires or structurally damaged rooftops.

We hope you find our winter tips helpful. If we can help with any of your Health and Safety needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

e: info@ensuresafetytraining.co.uk
t: 01270 619 584