Don’t give site safety checks the cold shoulder
Construction union UCATT is warning employers in the sector that during the current extreme cold weather extra checks need to be made on sites to ensure that work can be conducted safely.
As well as undertaking additional risk assessments during extreme weather, employers also need to ensure:
- appropriate protective equipment is issued;
- mobile facilities for warming up, and warm fluids, such as hot chocolate or soup, are provided.
- the introduction of more frequent rest breaks.
- workers are educated on recognising the early symptoms of cold stress, and early signs of hypothermia. These include shivering, loss of coordination, slurred speech, memory loss, and pale cold skin.
General Secretary of UCATT, Alan Ritchie, 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.”
Don’t give site safety checks the cold shoulder
Construction union UCATT is warning employers in the sector that during the current extreme cold weather extra checks need to be made on sites to ensure that work can be conducted safely.
Safety & Health Practitioner
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