Don’t Leave Your Employees Unprotected in the Cold

Winter season is in full swing, and many employees must remove snow and maintain the outside of facilities in the cold weather. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers tips to help employers protect their facility workers this winter.

These tips include implementing work practices and equipping workers with proper equipment and clothing to protect them from hypothermia and other cold weather risks:

• Develop work plans which identify potential hazards and the safety measures to protect workers
• Put off nonemergency maintenance and repair jobs for warmer months
• Schedule workers to be outside during the warmest part of the day, such as in the afternoon
• Limit employees’ time outdoors on extremely cold days
• Use relief workers to give regular employees a break indoors for long and demanding jobs
• Provide warm areas and warm liquids for workers during break periods
• Monitor the weather conditions during winter storms by paying attention to outdoor sirens, radio and television broadcasts, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
• Set up a reliable means of communicating with workers in case of evacuations during severe winter storms, especially in remote areas.

OSHA also recommends that employers make sure their workers are properly dressed when working outside during the winter. Ensure workers are wearing:

• At least three layers of loose-fitting clothing
• A knit mask to cover face and mouth
• A hat that will cover ears
• Insulated gloves
• Insulated and waterproof boots.