Working in Cold Weather: How to Protect Your Workforce This Winter

As temperatures drop, protecting your workforce from the dangers of cold weather becomes a top priority.

Working outdoors or in cold environments can expose employees to low temperatures, wind, and moisture. This can affect their safety, wellbeing, and productivity.

Preparing in advance ensures your team stays warm, safe, and effective throughout the season and ready to face the winter weather head-on.

WHY COLD WEATHER PROTECTION MATTERS

Working in cold weather isn’t just uncomfortable. It can pose serious health risks.

These include:

• Trench foot and chilblains - Painful conditions caused by long exposure to cold and dampness
• Frostbite - Skin and tissue damage caused by prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures
• Slips, trips and falls - Snow, ice, and wet conditions create hazardous surfaces that can lead to injuries
• Cold stress - Increased strain on the body, leading to fatigue, reduced concentration, and higher risk of workplace accidents
• Hypothermia - A dangerous drop in body temperature that can lead to confusion, slowed reaction times, and even loss of consciousness

PREPARE FOR COLD WEATHER WORK

Protect your teams by preparing for cold weather work in advance.

Update your risk assessment and ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are you providing the right winter work gear?

Ensuring your employees have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for preventing cold-related illnesses and injuries.

Essential cold weather gear includes:

• Slip-resistant footwear - Boots with good traction help prevent slips on icy surfaces
• Hand and foot warmers - A useful accessory for keeping your workforce warm and productive
• Thermal gloves and socks - Keeping hands and feet warm is essential to prevent frostbite and maintain dexterity
• High-visibility gear - Shorter daylight hours mean reduced visibility; reflective jackets and vests ensure workers remain seen
• Head and face protection - Heat loss occurs rapidly through the head, so hats, balaclavas, or thermal helmet liners are a must
• Winter workwear - Layering is key; provide thermal base layers, warm mid-layers, and insulated jackets to protect against cold weather

Bear in mind that preparing for winter weather means thinking about more than just the cold. You may also be dealing with wet weather, darker nights, snow, and ice.

Explore our top winter workwear for wet, cold, and icy conditions.

2. Do you have warm break areas?

Providing heated break areas is crucial for your workforce. It allows them to warm up, rest, and stay safe during their shifts.

Consider providing:

• Additional fan heaters and radiators to help keep spaces warm
• Free snacks and beverages such as tea and biscuits to help your team to work more productively and with higher energy levels

If indoor spaces aren’t available, heated shelters or vehicles can serve as warming stations. You should encourage employees to take regular breaks to avoid prolonged cold exposure.

3. Have you educated your workforce?

Training your workforce on cold stress prevention and safety measures helps them recognise early warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Provide training on topics such as:

• Symptoms of cold stress and when to seek help
• The importance of staying dry and wearing layers
• How to safely navigate icy or snow-covered areas
• Proper hydration and nutrition to maintain body heat

Encourage employees to communicate openly with you and raise any concerns they may have about working in cold weather.

4. Can you adjust work schedules?

To minimise exposure to extreme cold, consider adjusting work schedules where necessary.

This may include scheduling outdoor tasks during warmer parts of the day. Or you may be able to rotate employees more frequently to reduce long periods outside.

5. Have you stocked up on winter workplace essentials?

Beyond PPE, you need to ensure your workplace is fully stocked with winter safety essentials.

These may include:

• Snow shovels and de-icers
• Grit and salt for icy pathways
• Portable heaters for workspaces
• Emergency supplies, including blankets and first aid kits
• Hi-vis clothing, torches, and retroreflective signage for dark evenings

Bear in mind that the darker nights can bring with them their own share of safety challenges if your team is going to be working outside.

Read our dedicated blog to learn how to prepare for working in the dark.

Are You Ready for the Winter Weather?

A winter-ready workforce is a safe workforce!

By proactively preparing for cold weather, you’re not only protecting your employees' health but also your business’s productivity and efficiency.

Investing in the right winter working gear, safety training, and workplace adaptations helps keep your team warm and safe. It also helps them stay ready to perform, even in harsh conditions.

Explore the SMI shop to stock up on all your cold-weather protection essentials today!

FAQs

Is it bad to work in cold weather?

Yes, working outside can be bad for your health, potentially leading to conditions like cold stress, chilblains, or even hypothermia.

However, with the right gear, working in cold weather can be managed safely.

How cold is too cold to work outside?

There’s no legal minimum temperature for working outdoors in cold weather in the UK.

However, employers are legally responsible for ensuring a ‘reasonable’ working environment and protecting staff from health and safety risks, including cold stress.

Can someone refuse to work if it's too cold in the UK?

Someone can’t refuse to work just because it’s cold in the UK. This is because there’s no legal minimum temperature.

That said, employees can refuse to work if they believe there’s a serious and imminent danger that can’t be avoided. This could include situations such as a risk of hypothermia if someone is working in very cold conditions without the right cold weather gear or other protective measures.

What temperature is considered too cold for an office?

There’s no legal minimum temperature for an office in the UK.

However, GOV.UK suggests a minimum of 16ºC. This falls to 13ºC if employees are doing physical work.