Category Archives: Health and Safety

As winter sets in and temperatures drop, cold weather brings real risks for workers both indoors and outdoors. From chilled warehouses to construction sites and delivery routes, being cold isn’t just uncomfortable — it can be unsafe. Th

Why Cold Weather Matters for Health & Safety

Cold weather affects both the body and the workplace. When working in low temperatures, people may experience stiff muscles, reduced manual dexterity, slower reaction times, and, in extreme cases, cold-related illnesses like hypothermia or frostbite. Exposure over time also increases the risk of slips and falls on icy surfaces and diminished concentration — all of which can lead to accidents.

Beyond physical hazards, cold temperatures can reduce productivity and raise the likelihood of errors, especially when workers are forced to rush or cut corners just to keep warm.

What the Law Says

Under UK law, employers must protect the health and safety of workers — and this includes managing temperature risks.

• The Workplace (Health, and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require that a reasonable indoor temperature is maintained. Although there’s no strict legal minimum, the HSE suggests at least 16 °C for most indoor work, or 13 °C for vigorous physical workloads.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess risks and implement appropriate controls, including those from cold environments — both indoors and outdoors.

There’s no legal temperature threshold for outdoor work, but employers must still assess risks and take sensible precautions when cold weather could affect safety or health.

Assessing the Risk of Cold Weather

A cold weather risk assessment should form part of your wider health and safety planning. This means organising your workplace and work activities to reduce exposure to cold and considering factors such as:

• How long tasks expose people to low temperatures
• The physical demands of the task
• Wind, rain, or snow that can make conditions harsher
• Whether workers can warm up regularly
• The suitability of clothing or personal protective equipment (PPE)
• How fatigue and cold affect performance and attention

If your assessment shows that cold may pose a risk, you must put controls in place. These might include providing breaks in heated shelters, adjusting work schedules, or changing how tasks are performed.

Practical Measures to Keep People Safe

Here are key steps that can make a big difference:

❄️ 1. Provide Appropriate Clothing and PPE

Warm, layered clothing helps workers maintain body heat. If tools or machinery must be handled in cold environments, consider insulated gloves and footwear to protect against cold stress.

☕ 2. Facilitate Regular Warm-Up Breaks

Offer access to heated rest areas and warm drinks so workers can recover from exposure. Frequent breaks in warmth help prevent hypothermia and maintain performance.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 3. Plan Activities With Weather in Mind

Timing tasks for warmer parts of the day or rearranging workloads can reduce exposure. If conditions are severe, consider delaying non-urgent work.

🧠 4. Educate Workers on Symptoms

Make sure workers know signs of cold stress, such as persistent shivering, fatigue, confusion or numb extremities, so they can seek help early.

Cold Weather Outside the Workplace

Cold affects more than just work conditions. UK Government guidance encourages individuals and organisations to support vulnerable people — such as older adults or those with health conditions — during prolonged cold spells. This includes awareness of Cold-Health Alerts, preparation plans and communication of health risks to those at risk.

This broader advice, while focused on general health, reinforces the importance of preparedness and risk awareness during adverse cold weather.

Final Thoughts

Cold weather safety isn’t about making work cosy — it’s about protecting health, reducing risk, and ensuring safe, productive operations through the winter months. By understanding your legal obligations, assessing cold hazards, and putting sensible controls in place, employers can look after their teams and create safer, more resilient workplaces.

A proactive approach to cold weather is good for people, performance and compliance — and it sends a strong message that health and safety really does matter.

Guest Blogging

If you feel that you could contribute to this blog then please feel free to send me a proposal of your guest blogging ideas and we can discuss these further info@walkersafety.co.uk . Please note any proposals must be of benefit to our readers from individuals with knowledge of their subject matter.

Contact us if you require further information.

If you work in health, safety, or environmental management, BHSEA (Birmingham Health, Safety & Environment Association) is a fantastic resource for learning, networking, and professional development. We have been members for nearly four years, and it’s been invaluable.

About BHSEA

Founded in 1930, BHSEA is a charity that brings together professionals across industries to share knowledge, best practice, and lessons learned. The group is run by volunteers and supported by a part-time administrator, keeping it grounded in real-world experience.

Meetings & Events

• Location: Walsall FC – The Banks’s Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall WS1 4SA
• Frequency: Around 10 meetings per year (monthly, with summer breaks)
• Events: Monthly meetings, workshops, HSE briefings, and an Annual Conference covering topics from mental health and wellbeing to construction safety and environmental compliance

Membership Costs

• Organisations up to 250 employees: £45 + VAT
• Organisations with 250+ employees: £70 + VAT
• Students & new graduates: Free for the first year

Why Join?

• Practical, real-world learning
• Networking with friendly professionals
• Access to events, workshops, and discounted training
• Supportive community for career growth

Try It First

Curious to see if it’s right for you? You can attend your first meeting as a guest and experience the value of BHSEA first hand. Once you meet the people and see the benefits, joining usually feels like a no-brainer!

Past newsletters from the meetings – Click here

Contact us if you would like to attend.

Here at Walker Health and Safety Services Limited, we have researched (from various websites) and identified a number of statistics on workplace injuries and health and safety in Great Britain. Upon reflection, it is evident that the number of injuries remains high, underscoring the importance of prioritising workplace safety. The stats show that when health and safety rules are overlooked, it reveals what can go wrong.

It is essential that workers, employers, and managers all play their part in creating a safe and secure workplace. Following health and safety rules is crucial for protecting employees from harm, ensuring legal compliance, boosting productivity, and enhancing business reputation.

This shouldn’t be seen as a burden as it offers significant benefits – reduced costs, reduced risks, lower absences from employees, and lessened threat of legal action.

Health and safety with the workplace statistics for 2025:

• 964,000 workers suffer from work-related stress, depression or anxiety.

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

• 511,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder.

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

• 9 million Workers suffering from work related ill health (new or longstanding) in 2024/25.

Source: Estimates based on self-reports from the Labour Force Survey for people who worked in the last 12 months

• 11,000 Lung disease deaths each year estimated to be linked to past exposures at work.

Source: Counts from death certificates and estimates from epidemiological information

• 2,218 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2023).

Source: Counts from death certificates and estimates from epidemiological information

• 124 workers killed in work-related accidents 124 workers killed in work-related accidents.

Source: RIDDOR

• 1 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• 59,219 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

• 680,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey.

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

• 1 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. Source: Estimates based on self-reports from the Labour Force Survey
• £22.9 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2023/24).

Source: Estimates based on HSE Cost Model

• 5 billion Annual costs of workplace injury in 2023/24.

Source: Estimates based on HSE Cost Model

Contact us if you feel you require assistance with your health and safety requirements.

Hey!

As the festive season approaches and the year draws to a close, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to you for your continued support and for working with us throughout the year. It has truly been a pleasure collaborating with you.

In the spirit of Christmas, instead of sending cards or gifts, we have chosen to make a donation to Severn Hospice, supporting the incredible work they do for individuals and families in our community.

Please note that we will be closing for the Christmas break on Christmas Eve and will return to work on Monday 5th January 2026!

We would like to wish you and your teams a very Merry Christmas, a relaxing festive break, and our very best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful 2026.

Warm festive wishes,

Walker Health and Safety Services

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s the ideal time for organisations to pause, reflect, and reset. At Walker Health and Safety Services, we’ve worked alongside a wide range of clients this year, and one theme has stood out: the businesses that thrive are those that treat health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management as a continuous journey, not a one-off task.

Key Lessons from 2025

From our consultancy perspective, several lessons have been clear this year:

• Preparedness is Everything: Organisations with up-to-date risk assessments and contingency planning were better equipped to deal with unexpected challenges, from severe weather to operational pressures.
• Wellbeing is Part of Safety: Supporting mental health and work-life balance has proven just as vital as physical safety. Businesses that embraced this saw stronger engagement and lower absence rates.
• Sustainability Cannot Be Sidelined: Clients who embedded environmental responsibility into daily practices gained not only compliance confidence but also reputational benefits with customers and stakeholders.

Setting the Tone for 2026

As we look ahead, our advice is to focus on three priorities:

• Refresh and Review: Enter 2026 with risk assessments, policies, and training all up to date and relevant to current operations.
• Embed a Safety-First Culture: Move beyond box-ticking. Create a culture where health, safety, and wellbeing are part of every decision made on site and in the office.
• Elevate Environmental Goals: Whether it’s reducing waste, improving recycling, or investing in energy efficiency, even small changes can add up to big impacts.

Celebrating Success

We encourage our clients to take time this December to acknowledge achievements. Reduced accident rates, improved compliance audits, or successful environmental initiatives deserve recognition — celebrating progress builds momentum for the year ahead.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

The landscape of health, safety, and environment is always evolving, but the principle remains the same: prevention is better than cure. By learning from 2025 and planning proactively for 2026, organisations can safeguard their people, protect the environment, and strengthen their resilience.

At Walker Health and Safety Services, we’ll continue to support clients with practical, tailored advice to help them achieve their goals in the year ahead.

Contact us to discuss your health and safety requirements.