WINTER WORKING

There are no special statutory requirements relating to the winter. However, s.2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW Act) applies particularly here. The general requirements to maintain the safety of the workers and those affected by the work are amplified in the more adverse conditions of the winter, thus requiring a review of the risk assessments prepared under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999): the environmental conditions in the workplace are covered within the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (Workplace Regulations), but again, usually more in the general than the specific.

The extra problems of using personal protective equipment in adverse conditions is covered within the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 and those relating to manual handling, for example slippery surfaces, are covered in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

Winter Blues - for many, the winter can be a time of mixed feelings. While going for walks in the crisp morning frost can be a wonderful experience, trudging through the sleet and snow to get to and from work can be miserable. For some people the reduction in light levels in the winter triggers a depressive condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects different people in different ways, symptoms can be: interrupted sleep patterns; poor concentration; lack of self esteem; irritability and loss of libido.

Access and Pathways - one hazard that is frequently forgotten is the slippery floors caused by people bringing in water and slush on their shoes. Extra care with doormats and floor cleaning is likely to help with this.

Lighting - in winter the problems of generally lower light levels can be avoided by providing more local lighting. That is, by using task lights at the desks or work areas where the light is most needed. Using more general or overhead lighting can also cause glare problems and is frequently expensive in terms of electricity.

Temperature - the temperature of the indoor workplace must be “reasonable” during working hours (Workplace Regulations, regulation 7(1)). There is no statutory minimum, however, the ACoP gives the same values as were once contained in earlier legislation, e.g. normally 16¥C or 13¥C where the work requires severe physical effort.

Working in Adverse Conditions - the main problems, when working in adverse conditions, are hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia is particularly insidious, as the sufferer does not usually realise that there is a problem, until they actually collapse. The condition is probably worse in an occupational context as, through the distraction of the work or the desire to complete a task, the worker is quite likely to ignore the initial symptoms. The onset of the condition is accelerated by wind chill factor — the reduction in body temperature due to moving air increasing heat loss. Also the increased heat loss due to continual wearing of wet clothing can cause, or worsen, the onset of hypothermia.

Driving - where GMB members are required, as part of their function, to drive on the roads, it is necessary to appreciate that the vehicle becomes their workplace and the responsibilities of the employer extend to it. There are two main areas that should be considered in this situation: the capability of the driver to operate the vehicle in the adverse conditions, and the suitability of the vehicle to be driven in these conditions. Both need to be addressed carefully.

Produced by the GMB, London Region,
Thorne House, 152 Brent Street, Hendon. NW4 2DP
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