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21 Dec
Winter is one of the most dangerous times of year, especially for builders and construction workers.
During the winter months, it is darker for longer and the weather changes to colder temperatures. We also often see lots of snow, ice and rain. This means the chance of slipping and falling is higher, as well as health risks like developing colds and flu, bronchitis, asthma and joint problems.
And of course, let’s not forget hypothermia and frostbite if it gets too cold!
One common misconception is that you only need to think about winter safety once it starts to snow. However, safety risks increase at milder temperatures than you would expect. For example, if there is a wind, it can make the temperature feel lower than it actually is.
Another problem with winter winds is that it can be worse at a height, which is where roofers spend a lot of time. If you aren’t ready for a sudden stroke of wind, you may end up losing balance or it could even knock a roofing slate from the roof, being dangerous for both the roofer and any passers-by.
Ice is another thing that makes it hard to work during winter. Once a surface is icy it becomes very slippery, making it easy to lose your balance or slip. It is extremely important that you have procedures in place for when it’s icy, even if this means postponing work, to ensure that you and your workers are kept safe during winter.
Advice for working when it’s windy
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors has set out some useful guidelines for roofers, including maximum wind speeds.
The NFRC say that:
– The maximum wind speeds for installing slates and roofing tiles, felt and battens is 23mph, gusting to 35mph or over. If the wind gets to this level, you should not step on those ladders!
-If you are handling felt on a roof, extreme care should be taken when the wind levels reach 17mph, gusting at 26mph or more.
More information regarding these guidelines can be found here.
Advice for working when there’s snow or ice
There is no strict regulation when it comes to what temperature is too cold to work in. This means it is down to you to decide. And if you run a construction or roofing company, this decision will not only affect you but also your workers.
It is important to carry out a risk assessment of the weather and your surroundings before you make your decision. If necessary, you should act on your findings to ensure that employees are kept safe at work. During this process, you will need to keep in line with both the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
What you need to do
If you’re the boss:
-Keep an eye on weather forecasts so that you can plan and prepare for winter weather.
-Do risk assessments regularly to ensure your workers are safe at work, and think about any cases where you are working at height. The Working at Height Regulations 2005 state that you should not work at height in icy conditions, so this is something to bear in mind.
-Pay attention to any changes in weather as this could happen suddenly.
-If you notice that it is particularly windy, measure the speeds with an anemometer. This way you know that you are following the NFRC’s guidelines.
-Check that all workers have been trained to the highest standard, especially when it comes to the hazards of winter weather and Personal Protective Equipment.
-Plan your employees’ shifts and breaks carefully. Individuals should not be out in the cold weather for too long, so rotate and make sure that they are able to get out of the cold weather.
If you’re a roofer:
-Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather. This means layering up, as well as ensuring that you have the right protective gear like gloves, hats and footwear with grips.
-If you are using vibratory equipment in the cold, like drills and nail guns, your risk of developing hand-arm vibration syndrome increases. To avoid this, you need to wear appropriate clothing to keep your hands and arms warm.
-Make sure that any hats worn do not restrict your sight or hearing. If an accident happens or someone needs to get your attention, you will need to be able to respond quickly.
-Watch out for symptoms of cold exposure. These include being uncomfortably cold, numbness, aching, extreme shivering and in extreme cases, confusion, drowsiness and/or euphoria.
-Because it will often be dark when you are working, wear reflective PPE so that you can be seen and see others.
-Drink enough fluids, whether it’s water or a warm drink like coffee or tea. A valid excuse to put the kettle on!
-If you notice anything hazardous that could cause an accident or injury, report this to your manager or supervisor as soon as possible.
JRC hopes that you have found these tips useful for staying safe in winter.