How cold is too cold to go to work?
Employers have responsibilities to keep their workers safe and healthy, particularly when staff have to carry out their duties in cold environments.
Thursday 18 January 2024 09:16, UK
The UK is in a grip of Arctic weather that will see sub-zero temperatures for most of the week - but what are the rights of staff who have to work in cold conditions?
With temperatures falling to around 6C lower than normal for this time of the year, Sky News takes a look at the rules on working in cold and extreme environments.
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What is the UK law on workplace temperatures?
There is no law that specifies minimum or maximum working temperatures, but employers must still follow health and safety guidelines.
General guidance suggests a minimum indoor temperature of 16C (60.8F) - or 13C (55.4F) if employees are doing physical work.
However, the temperature must be "reasonable" and at a "comfortable level" for staff - and there should be "clean and fresh air".
Working outside in cold temperatures
Despite the law being so undefined on high and lowest temperatures, the Health And Safety Executive (HSE) makes clear the steps employers should take to look after staff working outside.
In a cold environment, it says mobile facilities should be provided for warming up - with soup and hot drinks available.
There should also be more frequent rest breaks.
Appropriate protective equipment and clothing should be provided for staff.
Workplace temperatures should be monitored alongside how it is affecting staff and, if necessary, working habits should be reviewed.
Health screening should be in place for workers who are pregnant, have illnesses or disabilities, or need to take certain medication.
If possible, and without compromising safety, consideration should be given to delaying the work until there is warmer weather - or introduce flexible working patterns or job rotation.
What more should employers do during cold working?
Staff should be monitored for "cold stress", according to the HSE - particularly when the impact of the environment could lead to conditions such as skin cancer in hot weather, or affect a worker's ability to keep safe - such as when they are handling machinery in the cold.
Employers should ensure workers can "control their thermal comfort".
In cold weather, for example, this means that if clothing does not provide enough insulation, a worker could suffer an injury such as frostbite or become ill with hypothermia.
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What can staff do if their working environment is too cold?
They should "talk to their employer", according to the government website.
There are a wide range of health and safety guidelines which employers have to follow.
Health experts warn cold temperatures bring increased risks, particularly for older workers.
It can take longer for your body to warm up the older you are - partly because it is more difficult for the body to detect how cold it is.
The cold brings an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, depression, worsening arthritis, and accidents, health advice from the Met Office says.
What issues have there been during the current cold weather?
While freezing temperatures can impact workers in huge numbers of roles, those who must carry out their duties outside are obviously more vulnerable to weather extremes.
Among incidents directly related to the ongoing cold snap, council workers in North Hertfordshire refused to empty a resident's bin - saying its contents had frozen.
A notice left on the bin included advice for residents to loosen the contents with a spade - or leave the rubbish in a warm place such as a garage or shed.