COLD WEATHER IMPLICATIONS FOR SITE SAFETY

UCATT issues warning on construction site safety in colder weather

The construction trades union UCATT has issued a warning that extra checks are needed to ensure work can be conducted safely during the current extreme cold weather.

Employers need to undertake additional risk assessments during extreme weather in order to ensure that sites are safe before work progresses.

UCAT suggest that employers need to ensure that:

  • appropriate protective equipment is issued;
  • mobile facilities provided for warming up and warm fluids e.g. drinks or soup;
  • the introduction of more frequent rest breaks;
  • workers are educated on the symptoms of cold stress/ early signs of hypothermia including: shivering, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech, memory loss and pale cold skin.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said:

“Cold weather brings additional dangers to the construction industry. It is essential that employers ensure sites are safe and proper facilities are provided during cold weather working.

If workers do not believe that their site is safe they should stop work immediately until problems are resolved.”

This article was posted on 9th December 2010 in ALL LATEST NEWS, LAW.
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