5 Site Welfare Tips to Combat the Cold Weather

Construction sites are challenging work environments, posing significant risks to those who work there. To add to this, changing weather patterns and cold weather conditions can put worker welfare and project timelines further at risk. The UK experiences a dip in average temperatures beginning in October and continuing until at least early April, accounting for half of the year. 

But does construction stop in winter? No, it doesn’t. 

Site workers plough on despite risks from cold weather injuries such as frostbite. Making this even more challenging is those project sites in remote locations, with no quick access to resources and immediate care in case of accidents.

However, with proper planning, preparation, and supporting resources, construction work-related health risks arising from cold weather conditions can be mitigated.

This blog explores the cold weather risks and hazards on construction sites, provides tips to combat these risks, and explains why Hireforce Welfare is your ideal partner for welfare unit hire in cold weather.

Cold Weather Construction Work-Related Health Risks and Hazards

Battling the bitter cold of winter in the UK is not easy. Those working on remote sites in cold conditions for long durations can face health and safety problems, including hypothermia, lung conditions, and an increased risk of cold weather injuries like slips and falls.

Humans need to maintain a core body temperature of 37°C to function normally. A drop in temperature to 31°C can result in unconsciousness, and below 26°C can be fatal. It’s vital to recognise the early effects of cold weather on your workers, ranging from slower reaction times to decreased manual dexterity. All these effects can be detrimental to your workers’ health and lead to unintended errors or accidents. 

Building and construction work in cold weather invites the following common health risks and safety hazards:

• Slips, trips, and falls on snow-covered, wet or icy surfaces
• Health conditions such as dehydration, numbness, shivering, and immersion foot due to continuous exposure to cold temperatures
• Frostbite and hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures
• Reduced visibility due to fog, snowfall, or freezing rain
• Equipment malfunctions or failures due to near-freezing temperatures
• Difficulty accessing medical assistance in remote locations

Next, we’ll explore tips for overcoming cold weather difficulties on your building and construction site.

5 Site Welfare Tips to Combat the Cold Weather

To continue construction work in cold weather, focus on keeping your workers warm and safe at all times. Workers in the UK are protected under Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) HSE Regulations, which legally obligates employers to provide a reasonable workplace temperature. Furthermore, the HSE requires employers to provide employees with a safe and healthy working environment.

The following 5 tips ensure compliance with the HSE regulations and a comfortable working environment even in harsh outdoor climates.

1. Inspect and Clear Job Sites

When the cold weather hits, inspect and clear your job site for fallen trees and power lines before workers commence work. Walking and working surfaces, including ladders, roofs, and scaffolding, need to be clear from ice and snow. Use salt or sand to melt icy patches and mark the areas that can’t be cleared. 

2. Breaks in Warm, Dry Places

Your workforce expends more energy working in the cold outdoors in order to keep themselves warm. Shelter your workers from the icy chill and bitter conditions in a heated welfare unit trailer. 

Encourage them to take adequate breaks to rest and warm up, change out of wet clothing, and limit their exposure to the chilly weather. These breaks double up as a time to notice signs of fatigue, frostbite, or hypothermia in your workforce. Hireforce Welfare’s portable welfare units are equipped with heating facilities in a fully insulated wall and roof system. 

3. Suitable Protective Clothing and Storage

Ensure your workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment and safety gear to prevent construction work-related health risks during winter. Encourage the use of hard hats with liners to protect your workers against falling objects and from slipping or falling. Gloves should be worn at all times to maintain manual dexterity, especially when working with tools, climbing ladders, using scaffolding, or getting onto/into construction equipment. Discourage touching cold surfaces with bare hands to prevent frostbite. 

Wearing layers of clothing traps and maintains body heat and warmth. Wearing insulated, waterproof boots with good traction is recommended to reduce the chances of slips and falls.

Our 6 to 16-person units offer a dedicated indoor space for changing out of wet clothing and also provide storage space to store clothes and belongings after changing.

4. Encourage Hygiene and Hand-Washing

Encourage hand-washing with warm water to keep extremities like hands warm and prevent frostbite. Clean and well-maintained toilets avoid the spread of germs and associated health risks. 

To support you in this endeavour, all our welfare units are equipped with warm water washing facilities that work without a generator. In addition to a recirculating toilet, our regular toilet emptying services maintain cleanliness and hygienic conditions on the site.

5. Adequate Winter Safety Training 

Regular safety training is a must to prevent cold weather injuries and untoward incidents from occurring. Conduct detailed training on recognising and reporting construction work-related health risks and injuries due to cold climate. You can use the 3-person indoor office area of our 10 and 16-person welfare units to carry out various winter safety training modules. 

As cold muscles are more prone to injury, equip your workers with the knowledge of proper lifting techniques to avoid strain injuries. Also, a safety plan should be developed that includes regular cold weather risk assessments and training for workers.

Hire Hireforce’s Welfare Units for Smooth Construction Work in Cold Weather

Welfare units and their amenities play a vital role in supporting workers during construction work in cold weather conditions. Hireforce Welfare’s units are fully equipped and well-maintained to meet winter health and safety regulations. They provide a comfortable and functional space for your construction workforce.

In addition to the worker winter comforts mentioned above, our towable welfare units also provide LED lighting, canteen facilities, and device charging points.