Cold creeps up — and by the time it bites, it can be too late
Working in extreme cold — outdoors in cold, wind or wet, or in artificially cold places like cool stores and freezers — can cause cold-related illness and injury, up to permanent tissue damage and death. Hypothermia builds gradually, so workers may not realise the danger until it is serious, and even mild cold causes numb hands and stiff muscles that lead to other accidents. There is no set minimum temperature: you must manage the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
When the body has to work too hard to stay warm, the result is cold-related illness and injury. Hypothermia — an abnormally low body temperature — develops gradually, and because it creeps up, workers may not realise they are in danger until it is serious. Feeling cold is the key warning sign.
Even before that, cold causes harm indirectly: cold, stiff muscles are more prone to strains and sprains, and numb hands reduce grip and coordination, leading to other accidents. Frostnip and frostbite can damage extremities.
Cold is a risk outdoors in cold, windy or wet weather — wind chill and damp clothing accelerate heat loss — and in artificially cold environments such as refrigerated areas, cool stores and freezers. Do a risk assessment where the work often involves low temperatures, cold airflow, or exposure to water and dampness. There is no legal minimum temperature, so the duty is to manage the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
| Level | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Eliminate / reschedule | Do the work at a warmer time or place, or reschedule it. |
| Isolate / engineer | Climate-controlled shelter away from wind and rain for breaks; localised heating, such as cab heaters in cold-store forklifts. |
| Administrative | Warm break areas, limited exposure time and rotation, drying facilities for wet gear, hydration, and training to spot the signs in themselves and others. |
| PPE | Thermal, windproof and waterproof clothing in layers, plus gloves and warm footwear. |
Keep an eye on workers with pre-existing conditions that make them more susceptible to cold, and treat it as the counterpart to working in heat.
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No. As with heat, there is no set legal minimum temperature. The duty is to manage the risk of harm from cold so far as is reasonably practicable.
Cold stress is the strain of the body losing heat faster than it can produce it. Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature that develops gradually and can be fatal if not treated.
No. Artificially cold environments such as cool stores, freezers and refrigerated areas also put workers at risk, not just outdoor work in cold weather.
Cold, stiff muscles are more prone to strains and sprains, and numb hands reduce grip and coordination, which can lead to other accidents even before hypothermia sets in.
Reschedule or relocate work where you can, provide heated shelter and localised heating, limit exposure and rotate workers, supply drying facilities and thermal, windproof, waterproof PPE, and train workers to recognise the signs.
