Topical Tips - Winter weather

Q. Every year around this time the heating seems to be broken and its cold in the store as well as outside, what can we do about it?

A. The onset of winter brings many things, none more so than the hazards that winter weather can raise. First and foremost your employer has duty under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (regulation 7) to maintain a reasonable temperature in the workplace. The approved code of practice to the regulations says that 16 degrees C (or 13 degrees C if strenuous work) is a minimum requirement.

If the heating has been off all summer then when it is switched on at the start of colder weather it sometimes fails. Unfortunately, there may sometimes be a delay in getting it fixed because demand for engineers is heavy or because of problems getting a part. Whatever the problem, your employer still has a duty of care. If the workplace is unbearably cold for any reason then they should be looking at other measures to protect staff until the heating can be fixed. Providng hot drinks, allowing people to wear warmer clothing (even if this breaches uniform requirements) and limiting the amount of time that any individual worker spends in the cold area are all examples of possible measures.

It’s not just the fact that the heating may not be working , there can be other risks in winter weather.

With a fall in temperature comes the increased risk of slips and trips due to icy conditions. Yards, delivery areas, points of access etc should be kept clear of ice to ensure the safety of people using them.

Leaking pipes and spillages should be repaired and cleared to stop ice forming and creating slip hazards.

Warm clothing is also important when working in cold conditions outside or even indoors where it is difficult to maintain minimum temperatures. This clothing should be issued as Personal Protective Equipment if a risk assessment dictates and should not be left to the whim of a manager.

Lighting, in and around the workplace, is of utmost importance in helping to reduce the number of incidents. Adequate lighting is a requirement of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and should be sufficient for the task being performed.

Members who drive for work can face particular risks. It is more important than ever that vehicles are properly maintained and regular checks on road worthiness are done. Scheduling might need to be adjusted because journeys take longer and deliveries may be more difficult. There should be clear emergency instructions for drivers to follow if sever weather makes it unsafe to carry on driving.

Usdaw reps should regularly inspect the workplace and ensure control measures are implemented to minimise the risk to members during cold periods.

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