Workplace Winter Essentials: Your Seasonal Checklist

Winter can be a challenging time for both workers and businesses.

We often underestimate how cold the UK can get in the depths of winter. So, it’s easy to neglect the small steps that can make the season safer and more comfortable until it’s too late.

Stocking up on winter essentials ahead of time can help improve safety and comfort, boost productivity, reduce sick days, and ensure smooth operation throughout the year.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy checklist.

Here, we’ll share some winter essentials you can tick off to prepare for the changing seasons. But first…

Why Winter Requires Careful Planning

The winter season brings with it several hazards for businesses to contend with – especially where workers are operating outdoors.

You could be dealing with wet weather, snow, ice, fog, cold temperatures, and dark evenings.

These aren’t just inconveniences. Rather, they can lead to serious safety risks and operational issues.

These include:

• Security risks
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Cold stress and other cold-related health risks
• Workplace accidents caused by lack of visibility
• More frequent vehicle and machinery breakdowns

That’s why it’s important to update your risk assessment to include seasonal hazards. Careful planning can help you manage the risks and keep workers safe through the changing seasons.

Your Winter Essentials Checklist

Start preparing for the colder months by ticking off these winter products from your checklist.

WINTER WORKWEAR

Layering is the key to personal warmth. Make sure that workers have a suitable base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer to keep them warm during extended outdoor work periods.

Remember that outer layers may also need to provide more than just cold weather protection.

Waterproof outer layers can help protect against wind, rain, and snow. Meanwhile, hi-vis outer layers can help to keep workers visible during the darker evenings.

Make sure you consider:

• Thermals
• Waterproofs
• Insulated jackets or stormcoats
• Mid-layers (fleeces, sweatshirts, or hoodies)

WINTER PPE

Outdoor workers are often exposed to low temperatures and harsh weather, requiring proper protective equipment.

Thermal gloves, face coverings, and waterproof boots can help shield against snow, rain, and chilly winds.

With shorter days, more work is also completed in low-light conditions. Hi-vis clothing can help make workers more visible during dark evenings, as well as in extreme weather conditions like heavy fog or rain.

Our dedicated blog has further advice about preparing for the darker nights.

Make sure you consider these items:

• Balaclavas
• Hi-vis clothing
• Hats or helmet liners
• Hand or foot warmers
• Thermal or waterproof gloves
• Thermal or waterproof safety boots

OFFICE ESSENTIALS

One of the most obvious ways to keep your workforce happy during the winter is to ensure that indoor areas are warm enough.

In office areas, central heating will usually do the job. But in areas such as garages, outbuildings, and other less-insulated spaces, ensuring heat levels are met can be tricky. This is where having an indoor heater can make all the difference!

Always provide regular breaks for outdoor workers to warm up indoors. A well-stocked canteen with hot drinks can also provide respite during those cold days at work.

Review stock of these essentials:

• Fan heaters or portable radiators
• Hot drinks (tea, coffee, or hot chocolate)
• Kitchen appliances (kettle or hot water urn)

WINTER SAFETY

Winter hazards can be subtle but dangerous.

Maintaining safe pathways by regularly spreading rock salt and grit will help to prevent slips and falls in the icier months: a must for workplace safety in your depot.

Plus, always check your first aid supplies and make sure kits are fully stocked. This is important throughout the year but even more so during winter, when additional hazards can increase the risk of workplace accidents.

See our guide to winter site inspections for more things you should check before winter sets in.

Stock up on:

• Grit
• Rock salt
• First aid supplies
• Instant road repair
• Winter safety signage
• Torches and floodlights
• Snow shovels or ploughs
• Reflective cones and barriers
• Winter driving kits for workers on the road

WORKPLACE AND VEHICLE SECURITY

The shorter days can pose a security risk, giving thieves additional opportunities.

Ensure tools and equipment are securely stored using solutions such as Armorgard, safeguarding them against theft and damage.

Plus, remember to take steps to ensure vehicle security, including investing in secure vehicle tool storage solutions to deter thieves.

Enhancing security can help keep your workforce operational and improve safety for employees working after dark.

Review these items:

• Key storage
• Secure tool storage
• Vehicle tool storage
• Security padlocks and chains

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

Provide an added level of TLC for your vehicle fleets out on the road this winter to help keep your teams operational.

Prepare for unexpected challenges by stocking up on vehicle maintenance kits, as well as ensuring that all vehicles are stocked with their own first aid kits.

We’d also advise regularly checking vehicles for wear and tear to prevent breakdowns in freezing conditions.

Pressure washers can help remove rock salt and grit, which can lead to rust or damage to your vehicles.

Ensure you review:

• De-icer
• Antifreeze
• First aid kits
• Ice scrapers
• Winter driving kits
• Traffic film remover
• Screen washer fluid
• Emergency warning triangles

All The Winter Products You Need, All in One Place

At SMI, we stock all the winter products you need for the workplace and out on the road.

From winter workwear and PPE to secure storage solutions and workplace safety products, we help you improve safety, comfort, and security throughout the year.

Are you prepared for the cold, dark, and wet months? Shop our winter products today.