It is very quickly coming up to the time of year when we will be putting our clocks back and will then be plunged back into dark mornings and evenings. On top of that the weather is changing and the cold days are ahead. So, in the spirit of this we thought it might be the right time to remind you all of some ways to stay healthy and safe at this time of year.

1. Working Safely in the Dark.

In the dark, all the dangers that exist during the day remain the same, only they are more dangerous as we cannot see them. Working in low light can be very difficult and disorientating. Bright lights can be useful, but they never fully replicate sunlight. Furthermore, the glare from passing cars can blind workers and lead to injuries. Another issue is that many cars have a blind spot, which is a place where the drivers view is partially or completely blocked. This is especially common with construction vehicles because many of them are large and can have shapes that make it difficult to see.

Staying Safe.

• Review your workplace health and safety procedures, ensuring that information is up-to-date, and workers are familiar with the policies.
• Make sure company vehicles and equipment are maintained to prevent incidents.
• Ensure workers take regular breaks.
• Use manual equipment during the day when the sun is out to avoid risk of using in the dark.
• Ensure the personal protective equipment (PPE) your workers use is fit for purpose and in good working order.

Risk Assessments.
Conduct regular risk assessments for managing health, safety and environmental welfare of everyone in your business.

Working in the Cold Weather

When working outdoors, the weather can have a serious impact on the workers health, if the risks have not been properly managed.
The weather can also affect a workers ability to keep safe, for example when handling machinery, or when the floors become slippery.

There are simple actions you can take to protect people working outdoors.

• Ensure the personal protective equipment (PPE) issued is appropriate.
• Provide mobile facilities for warming up, and soup or hot drinks.
• Introduce more frequent breaks.
• Consider delaying the work until warmer times of the year without compromising on safety.
• Make sure workers can recognise the early symptoms of cold stress, such as a cough or body aches.

People working in uncomfortably cold environments are less likely to perform well and more likely to behave unsafely because their ability to make good decisions deteriorates.
Temperatures in indoor workplaces are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a ‘reasonable’ temperature in the workplace.

3. The Law.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations require employers to provide a reasonable indoor temperature in the workplace. This depends on the work activity and the environmental conditions.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations require reasonable workplace temperatures for indoor areas of construction sites. Where the site is outdoors, you must provide protection from adverse weather. Site rest facilities must also be maintained at appropriate temperature.
During the working hours the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be reasonable. There is no law for minimum or maximum working temps, e.g. when its too cold or too hot to work.
However, guidance suggests a minimum of 16c or 13c if employees are doing physical work. There is no maximum temperature limit.