health & safety

---

 HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT Winter Weather Warning: Yellow Warning of Snow Temperatures are set to plunge across Britain tomorrow, Thursday 12th January and the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for snow in London, meaning they forecast ‘severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause danger to life or widespread disruption’. Ensure you and your site are prepared for this severe weather by understanding the hazard and preparing for them accordingly.

Potential Hazards :

• •. • •

Workers exposed to cold, wet conditions for prolonged periods of time.

•

Operating plant and machinery in cold and wet conditions. Restriction of movement due to additional clothing being worn and the cold.

•

Potential disruptions to transport infrastructure due to poor weather.

Slip and trip hazards caused by rain water, ice, accumulation of fallen leaves, etc. High winds and stormy conditions. Travelling to and from work and working in the dark and driving in poor weather conditions with the risk of vehicles breaking down.

Suggestions:

• • •

Managers and Supervisors to ensure all are warned about the hazards. Conduct a site inspection to ensure structures are made safe and loose materials are secured. Any planned lifting operations for periods of heavy wind should be reviewed and where possible, rescheduled. Should emergency lifting operations be required this should only be undertaken with authorisation from the site manager.

•

Temporary structures, fences and signs are secured. Special attention to be given to Heras fencing which have netting/signage applied.

• • •

Ensure that paths and building entrances are free from debris which may cause a slip or trip hazard. Ensure that personnel have with the appropriate PPE for the wet and windy conditions. Keep up to date with the local weather conditions and warnings for your area from the Met Office.

Date: 11 January 2017