As we are all aware by the end of this month the clocks will go back 1 hour and before long we can all expect to be going to work and returning home in the dark, winter is here!
The winter weather brings its own set of problems to people travelling to and from their workplace, lets be honest no one likes venturing out of their nice warm homes especially when it’s cold, wet and dark. Driving to work can be especially difficult as people try to get to their destinations as soon as possible, wet and icy roads can be treacherous.
With the shortened days those working outdoors are under more pressure to complete work. Unfortunately, sometimes health and safety is bypassed and shortcuts taken in order to finish jobs. As with all jobs a proper risk assessment has to be carried out. Weather will play a major part in everyday activities; if it is cold and wet then the proper clothing has to be supplied by the employer. Employees that operate driving machines must ensure that all windows are kept clean in order to see what obstacles are around them. All footpaths and walkways have to kept clear from leaves as these can become very slippery especially when wet.
As the winter progresses snow and ice will be the major concern, with cars entering your yard this will compact the snow making it very slippery, try to have a salt bucket and keep your yard free from snow and ice. Walkways and paths have to be kept free from snow and ice at all times.
In the winter many companies hire gas heaters to help warm up their work areas, which are great but ensure that there is adequate ventilation, also any heaters that might not have been used in a long time, get them checked out by a qualified safe gas engineer.
Just by following simple procedures we can cut the number of deaths caused each year in the winter, through people speeding, unprepared employees, and carbon monoxide poisoning
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