Working in cold weather

Our Ref: HSR/1/14
Head Office Circular: NP/265/22
8th December 2022
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

WORKING IN COLD WEATHER

I write in relation to the cold temperatures currently being experienced in many parts of the country.

The UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) has issued a cold weather alert for England https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cold-weather-alert-issued-by-ukhsa
In relation to this, I have:
1) Attached RMT advice “Working in Cold Temperatures”
2) Additionally for your information, included the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) advice on working in cold and wintry weather, which is as follows:
Guidance on working in cold and wintry weather

Keep safe when working in wintry conditions

With low temperatures and less daylight, winter can make surfaces perilous, and slip and trip accidents increase significantly.

There are plenty of factors to consider when avoiding these sorts of accidents. Ice and snow, poor lighting, excess water from rain and even gritting can all cause problems.

Take a look at our online guide to avoiding slips and trips in winter weather. 

Working in cold weather

Our guidance has been refreshed to make it easier to find and understand advice on how to protect workers in low temperatures.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations require employers to provide a reasonable indoor temperature in the workplace.

The guidance explains how you can assess the risks to workers and put controls in place to protect them.

There is a workplace temperature checklist to help you carry out a basic risk assessment.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary