Mark Robson, Product Manager at Werner, offers tips to stay safe while working at height this winter for merchants to share with their customers.

Cold weather is compounding what is an already more hazardous time of year to be working at height, with increased wind speeds and lower levels of light posing an additional health and safety threat.

DO wear appropriate clothing
When the temperature is hovering just above freezing, ensuring you are wearing the correct clothing is of paramount importance. Additional winter layers act as a vital first defence against the cold, helping to keep you warm and dry. However, it is important that the additional layers you choose don’t inhibit free movement or compromise the effectiveness of PPE.

The ’3-layer garment’ principle is an effective way of remaining warm and dry, even during windy or rainy conditions. A base layer should be moisture-wicking and transport sweat away from the skin, while a mid-layer of a thick jumper or fleece will insulate heat to keep you warm; and the third outer layer of a waterproof coat will shield you from the wind and rain.

Additionally, it is advised to protect ears, face, hands and feet with appropriate hats, face coverings, gloves and boots. Consideration should also be given towards purchasing a reflective outer layer that will ensure workers remain clearly visible in low-light conditions.

DON’T skip risk assessments
Carrying out a thorough risk assessment is a key safety consideration at the outset of any job, never more so than during winter.

Colder weather can affect both the functionality of equipment and the safety of working conditions, so regular safety checks should be stepped up in the winter months to try and negate additional risks.

Falls from height could come from hazards such as water leaks turned into ice; wet, decaying leaves; slippery, wet or icy surfaces; waterlogged or slippery ground that could destabilise access equipment; and windy, wet or snowy weather that could affect safe working conditions, and subsequently the worker’s ability to carry out jobs safely.

In addition, regular checks on ladders and structures must be undertaken to check for problems caused by low temperatures. It remains imperative to be aware of what faults to check for, and what steps should be taken if a problem should arise. Signs to look out for include movement from original fixing positions; frozen, damaged, loose or missing components, such as screws and fixing bolts; and rust and corrosion.

DO implement control measures
Safety considerations don’t stop with the risk assessment. Once that assessment has been carried out, those working on site should remain vigilant to additional risks that might emerge due to changes in weather conditions and ensure that appropriate measures are implemented to guarantee safe working.

In January and February particularly, when the hours of daylight are still relatively short, it is crucial that adequate lighting is available on site. While snow may still be clearly visible in the dark, icy or wet surfaces won’t be, so improved lighting is key.

Under freezing conditions, sites should also use slip-free solutions, such as grates and non-slip surfaces, to establish safe working spaces and pathways to minimise the risk of accidents. In addition, depending on the job, always take extra precautions to maintain maximum safety when working at height.

Some equipment is susceptible to be damaged when subject to repeated freezing and thawing. Therefore, it is important that such equipment is well protected. Where possible, it is good practice to store equipment inside or under covers when not in use, to minimise the risk of freezing.

If the product does freeze over, as much ice as possible should be removed before use, and one should never use a heater to try and speed up the thawing and drying process.

DON’T skip health and safety training
Having the correct training is vital for ensuring workers understand health and safety procedures and work according to the current requirements, know what risks to look out for, and how to act in the event of an accident.

It is recommended that a training refresh is undertaken at least every six months, so doing it ahead of winter wherever possible is ideal. If a check wasn’t carried out prior to the current cold snap, it is essential one is completed as soon as possible – and a check ahead of next winter scheduled for later this year.

Cold weather can have adverse effects on the body, which not only increases the risk of accidents, but also causes conditions such as cold stress, frostbite and hypothermia. All workers on site should be trained to spot the symptoms of these conditions in both themselves and others, which can include shivering, confusion, loss of coordination, and slurred speech.

DO be flexible
We all know that the British weather can be unpredictable, and that that unpredictability can increase manifold during winter.

Always check the weather ahead of a job and monitor it closely. If it shows signs of posing a threat to health and safety, always postpone the job and continue when it is safe to do so without compromising safety.

Where possible, limit time spent outdoors and schedule certain tasks for certain hours of the day where there is better lighting and to avoid any potential wind, rain or snow.

Working outside in cold weather requires more energy than working in warmer conditions, meaning workers are more likely to tire quicker than usual, which could affect concentration and pose a risk of slips and falls.

Introduce more frequent breaks and allow extra time to rest, warm up and change into dry clothing if needed, and, where possible, ensure that jobs are rotated between workers.

Working from height regularly involves working outdoors, where exposure to the elements is often unavoidable. However, with additional safety measures and adequate training to ensure workers can both prevent hazards and act appropriately when accidents occur, proactive steps can be taken to maintaining a safe working practice while working at height, and help to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities reported each year.