As we are all too well aware, temperatures and icy conditions being experienced at the moment have not been seen in the country for maybe 50 years in some areas.
Employers must review their Safety Statement and Risk Assessments and take into account the extreme weather conditions especially where Employees travel on behalf of the Company, drive Company Vehicles or work outdoors.
Ideally, travel/driving for work or working outdoors should be avoided during hazardous weather conditions, however, where this is not possible, the risk should be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.
When carrying out the risk assessment review,
1. Identify the Hazards e.g. icy roads footpaths and car parks, below freezing temperatures, high snowfalls, blizzard conditions
2. Identify the risk e.g. slipping on ice and sustaining various physical injuries, loss of control of the vehicle, stranded in a remote area or overseas
3. Assess the risk e.g. is it High, Medium or Low
4. Implement suitable and adequate control measures e.g. salting gritting of car park and footpaths, fully charged mobile phone and a back up mobile phone so that coverage is available, carrying a blanket, food, warm drinks, torch and other such emergency back up provisions in the case of being stranded, maintain a full fuel tank
5. Assess the risk again, is it adequately controlled? if not, revisit the control measures until it is.
Last but not least, stay in touch with your Employees at all times and communicate risk assessments and safety instructions and information to them. Make sure that there is a written record of such communication (names and dates) so that each Employee can confirm that they understand the information.
For more information and assistance on working safely during the cold snap, contact us today on 071 9645524 or 087 6450299 or info@safetyadvice.ie
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