It won't be long before we enjoy the wintry landscape again. But especially in the construction industry, but also for other companies, it is important to know what the employer should pay attention to in winter. This is because employees must be protected in ice, snow or wet and cold weather as soon as they work outdoors.
Six tips from the protection professionals on the subject of winter and occupational safety
In order to keep the effort as low as possible and to keep the incidence of illness low, we as protection professionals have summarised the most important information on occupational safety in the winter cold. After all, if you allow your employees to warm up even in winter temperatures and equip them with suitable personal protective equipment, you can prevent a lot.
First tip from the security professionals – Is safe working possible?
Especially in winter temperatures, the dangers of slipping and tripping accidents increase. In freezing rain, black ice or snow, floors and surfaces become slides, which increase the risk of falling and slipping. To prevent this, it is important to illuminate the company premises well and to keep the access routes free of slip. Work should not be carried out on icy roofs or scaffolding and roofs should be cleared of snow, and signs should be put up to mark the snow cover.
Second tip from the protection professionals – take protective measures
In order to protect employees from the cold outdoors, the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) requires a lot. For example, employees are only allowed to go to the construction site if there is no health hazard. Thus, the employer is obliged to gritt and clear snow. To contribute even more, fences and work tents, for example, can be erected to protect employees from wind and snow.
Third tip from the protection professionals – warm-up times for employees
DIN 33403-5 clearly regulates how cold exposure and warm-up times are to be implemented for employees. Because the classic eight-hour working day is not possible in winter and outdoors and is not allowed.
| Refrigeration area | Air temperature (°C) | Maximum exposure to cold | Recommended warm-up time |
| I | from +15 to +10 | 150 minutes | 10 minutes |
| II | under +10 to – 5 | 150 minutes | 10 minutes |
| III | under – 5 to -18 | 90 minutes | 15 minutes |
| IV | under -18 to -30 | 90 minutes | 30 minutes |
| V | Below -30 | 60 minutes | 60 minutes |
Fourth tip from the security professionals – heat your lounges
If you don't just want to do something good for your employees, you can set up heated lounges where you can warm up in between and also offer a hot drink. To prevent colds and shivering employees, the temperature in break rooms and sanitary facilities should be at least +21 °C. For washrooms with showers, a minimum temperature of +24 °C is recommended. It is also an advantage if it is possible to take off and dry the worn cold protection clothing.
Fifth tip from the protection professionals – instruction and advice on the subject
If you instruct your employees and offer advice from the company doctor, you keep them up to date. Employers are obliged to provide information at least once a year about the hazards in winter and to instruct them in the correct use of winter protective clothing. In order to do this correctly, an operating instruction (BA) must be drawn up, in which everything is explained in detail - from proper use, to testing the proper condition of the PPE.
Sixth tip from the protective professionals – protective workwear for the winter
For optimal work in winter, the right PPE is important on construction sites and outdoor areas. It should not only be warming, but also prevent sweating. That Onion layer principle is a great advantage. We at the protection professionals have perfect partners for the selection of winter PPE, which should be combined in combination with high-visibility clothing according to EN ISO 20471. It is important to also pay attention to suitable functional underwear so that the clothing provides optimal protection
"DGUV Rule 112-189 (previously BGR 189) "Use of protective clothing" helps perfectly with the selection," says Sonia Niedhart
Suitable protective clothing and, if necessary, shoes should ideally be provided free of charge by the employer so that employees are always well equipped.