UCATT warns on site safety in cold weather

With the cold weather still looming about, construction union UCATT are warning construction employers that extra checks need to be made on sites, to ensure that work can be conducted safely, during the current extremely cold weather.

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

- Appropriate protective equipment is used
- Mobile facilities for warming up and warm fluids such as hot chocolate or soup are provided
- They introduce more frequent rest breaks
- Workers are educated on recognising the early symptoms of cold stress/ early signs of hypothermia. These include 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 employers do not believe that their site is safe they should stop work immediately until problems are resolved".