Working in cold weather

Working in very cold temperatures can also be hazardous. Hypothermia is when the body is no longer able to produce more heat than it is losing, which can be fatal if left untreated. PCBUs must manage the risks to health and safety caused by exposure to cold weather.

Eliminate the hazard

As the PCBU, you must eliminate or minimise the risks of exposure to the cold at your workplace, so far as is reasonably practicable.

It may not be possible to change the environmental conditions, however consider whether the work can be done at an alternate time or place, for example:

  • cancel or reschedule work for a warmer time of the day, and
  • work indoors with heating where possible.

If elimination is not possible, you should aim to isolate the risks or use engineering controls to minimise the risks.

Isolate the risk

Isolating the risk involves separating the hazard from workers. Some examples of isolation controls include:

  • work indoors
  • provide workers with heated rooms away from the cold conditions
  • insulate buildings, and
  • where possible, relocate workers away from hazardous areas, such as windy or shaded areas.

Engineering controls

An engineering control is a control measure that is physical in nature, including a mechanical device or process. Some examples of engineering controls include:

  • provide suitable and well-maintained heating units
  • provide screens, or other protective structures against wind-chill

Administrative controls

Administrative controls should only be used to provide a systematic framework to support the higher controls that you have implemented.

Administrative controls include:

  • limit work that occurs in the colder parts of the day during extreme temperatures
  • allow flexibility in dress code, where possible
  • provide regular and frequent breaks away from cold work areas in heated or warmer areas
  • ensure the first aid room is heated

Some medical conditions may affect the workers ability to cope with the cold. Ensure you make adequate adjustments for workers that are impacted by this.

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last and least effective control in the hierarchy and should only be used to manage any risk that remains after all higher-level controls have been implemented, so far as is reasonably practicable.

When working in the cold, ensure workers have appropriate clothing for the conditions, such as long sleeve clothing.

PPE may include:

  • windbreakers or coats
  • hats, beanies, scarfs and gloves
  • handwarmers
  • heated jackets or vests, and
  • thermal under garments.

Frost

Frost may also impact safety. Slips trips and falls may occur due to frost on the ground. Additionally, other working surfaces and the operation of some plant may be affected by frost or very cold temperatures. As the PCBU, you can manage these risks by providing non-slip shoes and conducting risk assessments or maintenance checks for any plant or equipment in low temperatures.

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