Working outside in cold, snow or icy weather? Your employment rights explained… – The Sun

WORKING during the winter months can be tough, even more so if you work outside.

If you’re among those struggling, you might be wondering what your employment rights are and what your boss has to legally provide for you in cold weather.

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Here we explain what you need to know for working in cold, snow or icy weather.

What must your employer provide by law if you work outside?

Unfortunately, there’s no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures – but employers still have a duty of care to safeguard their employees, especially if working in snow and ice.

According to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers have to:

• Ensure any protective equipment is effective and up to date
• Supply the equipment for free and keep it properly maintained
• Provide mobile facilities for employees to warm up
• Encourage the consumption of hot food and drinks such as soup or hot chocolate
• Educate workers about the early symptoms of cold stress
• Incorporate more frequent rest breaks in the working day
• Limit exposure by introducing systems such as flexible working patterns or job rotation
• Delay work until a warmer time of the year if it compromises safety

What are the risks of working outside?

There are plenty of conditions that can be caused by cold stress, and you should seek help from a GP and talk to your employer if you experience any of the symptoms.

These include:

Frostbite

This typically occurs if your skin is exposed to freezing temperatures.

It usually affects extremities, such as the hands, feet, ears, nose and lips, but can happen in any part of the body.

If your skin goes pale and numb, you should try to warm it slowly indoors, but avoid putting it close to a heater or fire as this can make it worse.

Chilblains

This is when you get small, itchy swellings on your skin that happen as a reaction to cold temperatures.

Luckily these normally heal within a few weeks if further exposure to the cold is avoided.

You should seek medical help if you have severe or recurring chilblains and if they don’t improve within a few weeks.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia takes place when your normal body temperature (37C) falls below 35C.

It can be extremely dangerous if not treated quickly, so you should call 999 if you notice the signs and if someone’s body temperature slips to under 32C.

Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, cold and pale skin, slurred speech and confusion.

To help treat someone, you need to move them indoors, remove wet clothing, wrap them in blankets, give them a warm non-alcoholic drink if they can swallow normally, and give high-energy food that contains sugar if they can swallow normally.

What temperature must indoor workplaces or offices be?

The Approved Code of Practice suggests a minimum temperature of 16C for workplaces, or 13C if your work involves considerable physical activity.

The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends above 13C for factories, 18C for hospitals and 20C for offices.

These temperatures are not legal requirements, but the employer has a duty to determine what is reasonably comfortable in the circumstances.

What can you do if your office is too cold?

While there is no specific law when it comes to temperature, employers still need to abide by health and safety laws.

This includes:

• keeping the temperature at a comfortable level
• providing clean and fresh air

Employers should be providing office workplace heating in the cold, this can include draught prevention and adequate ventilation.

To get something done about feeling cold, employees should band together and talk to their employer if the workplace temperature isn’t at a comfortable level.

If a number of staff bring their concerns to attention, employers will be forced to consider whether their current approach when it comes to heating and cooling the office is adequate, as part of their duty of care.