Top 5 Tips for Constructing in the Cold

The Hawes Guide to Winter Working

With the Met Office issuing widespread UK weather warnings this week and conditions on sites reaching below freezing, the memories of the earlier ‘beast from the east’, and it’s subsequent disruption to the construction industry, are creeping in.

To help reduce the risks faced when working in the cold, Sarra Hawes, Director at Hawes Building, gives a handy guide to staying safe and productive on site.

1. Be warm AND visible – This seems obvious, but not only should you be layering and keeping extremities covered to stay warm, make sure you also consider your use of PPE, always ensuring that visibility is not compromised.
2. Keep dry – It is always advisable to be waterproof on site, but in freezing conditions it is more important than ever.
3. Stay fuelled – Make use of facilities (wherever provided) to eat hot food and keep your trusty tea flask topped up.
4. Take it inside – Where possible, have your project meeting in the warm and not outside exposed to the elements.
5. Keep it moving – As well as always wanting to complete the job on-time, at this time of year there’s the added incentive of staying warm to keep everyone motivated to move!

For HSE advice on outdoor working in cold environments, visit: www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/outdoor.htm