How to Stay Safe Working Outside in Cold Conditions

Staying Safe Working Outside in Cold Conditions

Working outside in winter conditions can be very challenging. The weather is unpredictable, and you are constantly at risk of being exposed to the elements. However, if you work for an employer who expects you to do manual labour outside during the coldest months of the year, there’s no way around it: You will need to find ways to stay safe while still getting the job done.

This means as soon as temperatures dip, you need to devise a strategy that will keep you safe while working outdoors. After all, staying safe doesn’t just involve not getting frostbite or hypothermia; it also consists of staying alert in your surroundings so you don’t get injured on the job.

Here are some tips for staying safe when working outside during cold conditions:

Have a Safety Routine

As soon you get out of bed in the morning, go through a safety ritual. For example, you may have heard that what you wear affects your feelings. Well, the same is true for what you do before you go outside when it’s cold.

If you have a regular ritual, you will be less likely to forget things. In addition, routines help remind you about what you need to do to stay safe. Some examples are:

Make sure to wear all the appropriate clothing, including extra layers, gloves, and a face mask if necessary.

Ensure all your tools and equipment are in good working order and suitable for cold weather work.

Make sure you have all the necessary items like a first aid kit, water, food, and a mobile phone or two-way radio to call for help if necessary.

Ensure you have everything you need inside the workplace, like hearing protection, a hard hat, or any protective gear.

Make sure you have installed any safety equipment that may be necessary, like fall protection.

Make sure that the work area is safe and well-lit.

Make sure you have all the necessary permits if the work requires them.

Prepare Your Tools and Equipment

It’s essential to check your tools and equipment before you use them and make sure that there are no cracks or damage. If there are any cracks, you need to repair them and ensure that everything is in good working order.

This is especially important for your gloves, boots, and other clothing. You will be spending a lot of time outdoors, so you must ensure that all your clothing is safe to use in the cold weather.

Make sure to have multiple pairs of gloves and boots with you so that if one set gets wet or starts to break down from the cold, you have a backup pair to use.

Ensure that your outerwear is warm enough to keep you safe against the cold, especially if you work outside for more than a few hours.

Ensure that your hard hats and helmets are in good working order and fit you properly. In addition, make sure that your safety glasses are suitable for outside work.

Stay Dry and Warm

If you work outside in the winter, you will likely get wet. It’s essential to ensure that you keep your skin and clothes dry when it’s cold, as getting wet can cause you to get cold very quickly. If you are in a wet environment, try putting on an extra layer of clothing to keep the heat inside your body. Also, ensure you dry off your gloves and boots when they get wet. If you are in a situation where you need to be dry quickly, a warm blanket or some warm clothing can help keep you warm and dry. Try to keep your ears warm if you are in a wet environment, as cold ears can be very painful and make you vulnerable to ear infections.

Layer Up with the Right Clothing

The right clothing can be the difference between having a relaxing day outside and getting frostbite. Choose your clothing based on how quickly you get cold and how quickly you get warm again.

A good rule of thumb is to choose the warmest clothing you can wear without making yourself too hot. Also, it’s important to wear multiple layers so that you can take them off as you warm up and put them back on when you cool down again.

Choose fabrics that are water-resistant or waterproof. Please stay away from cotton when working outside, as it does not insulate well when it’s wet. Instead, try to prioritise warm clothing made from synthetic materials like fleece, wool, and down. These materials keep you warm without adding too much extra bulk to your outfit. They also dry out quickly if they get wet, making them ideal for working outside.

Conclusion

Working outside in cold conditions can be very challenging. The weather is unpredictable, and you are constantly at risk of being exposed to the elements.

If you work for an employer who expects you to do manual labour outside during the coldest months of the year, there’s no way around it: You will need to find ways to stay safe while still getting the job done.

Active Work Wear has a wide range of clothing and accessories for cold weather working. From thermals to gloves, fleeces to gillets, from rigger boots to waterproofs we have the clothing you need to combat the cold and winter weather.