Practical considerations for your site for when the temperature dips.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Identify and log cold weather hazards before poor conditions arrive
- Provide adequate shelter, PPE, and warm breaks
- Brief workers daily on conditions and watch for signs of cold / hypothermia
- Adjust scheduling, materials, and equipment use to suit the season
- Create an environment where workers feel safe raising concerns
As the days shorten and southerlies sweep up from the Antarctic, builders, and their sites, need to adapt. Winter brings specific seasonal hazards to outdoor work. Understanding and planning for these can create a safe, productive season, not one that is dogged by injuries, delays, and fixes.
Cold / hypothermia
This can present a serious physical threat to tradies working outdoors in winter. The body loses heat faster than it can produce it, in low temperatures, add rain and wind and this exacerbates the potential problems. Hypothermia is a condition that sets in gradually. Workers may not recognise the early signs in themselves, making regular check-ins with workmates so important. Symptoms to watch for include shivering, slurred speech, confusion, and fatigue.
Frostbite
Exposed extremities of the body can be susceptible when working for long periods outdoors in low temperatures, particularly in the snow-prone far South of the country. Fingers, toes, ears, and the nose are areas of risk to keep covered where freezing conditions are prevalent.
Slips, trips, and falls
These increase significantly in winter. Frost, ice, mud, and wet surfaces all reduce traction on site and off. Morning frosts can leave surfaces slippery, particularly on metal such as scaffolding, ladders, steel groundwork, and of course, wooden decking. This is one of the leading causes of serious harm on New Zealand construction sites year-round and winter conditions amplify the risk considerably.
Reduced visibility and concentration
These hazards are less obvious but are important to consider when daylight lessens during winter. Darker mornings and evenings, and dull, cloudy and rainy days mean work is often done in low-light conditions. This can affect spatial awareness, increase sight problems and require additional lighting to safely carry out tasks.
What the law requires, whatever the weather
New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) ‘places a duty on persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to eliminate or minimise risks to workers so far as is reasonably practicable’. Cold weather is no exception. WorkSafe New Zealand expects that weather-related hazards are identified in site hazard registers and that controls are in place before conditions deteriorate.
Site managers should be aware of their obligations around provision of suitable facilities, including shelter. Where possible, schedule the most exposed or physically demanding tasks for the warmest, mid sections of the day.
Seasonal site set-up
Appropriate shelter is not a luxury on a winter site; it's a basic requirement. Workers who can warm up, dry out, and change into dry gear during breaks are safer, more effective and happier on the job.
Where practical, use wind breaks or hoardings to shield particularly exposed work areas. Reducing wind chill by a few degrees can make a big difference to comfort and safety.
Ensure all walking surfaces are assessed and treated accordingly. Grit, sand, or anti-slip matting should be applied to scaffolding, access paths, steps, and ramps. This should be part of any winter on-site set-up routine.
Remember that cold affects equipment as well as people and it can perform differently in low temperatures. Check all equipment for any impact cold conditions could have on how it operates.
Communication
Make sure everyone on your site knows what the symptoms of hypothermia look like looks like and that they feel confident to speak up if they witness any of these in themselves or others. Establish clear boundaries and expectations around temperature thresholds, wind chill factors, or rainfall amounts which, combined with cold, will require reassessing whether or not outdoor work activities can safely continue.
Workers should be briefed each morning on the expected conditions for the day, with any site-specific considerations. Normalise conversations around safely working on site in the cold.
Layering up
The principle of layering up clothing is well-known but can be poorly applied. These three types of layers work well together:
Base layer: A moisture-wicking material (merino wool is an excellent option) draws sweat away from the skin. Avoid cotton as a base as it retains moisture and cools quickly.
Mid layer: An insulating layer, such as fleece or down, traps warm air in.
Outer layer: A windproof and waterproof shell protects against rain and wind while allowing moisture to run off and away from the body.
Cover your extremities. Most body heat is lost through the head, so wearing a thin thermal skull beanie under your hard hat, providing this fits securely, is a great idea in winter. Gloves suitable for work use (maintaining dexterity while providing insulation) are essential. Warm, thick socks and waterproof boots are obviously essential, too.
Fuel up
The body burns a lot more energy staying warm than it does cooling down. Working in cold conditions requires an increased caloric intake. Warm food and drink help to maintain your core temperature.
Hydration is often neglected in cold weather. Workers should drink water regularly regardless, as dehydration impairs both physical and mental performance.
Winter mental wellbeing
Winter on a construction site is physically demanding but the psychological toll can be tough, too. Shorter days, reduced sunlight, physical discomfort, and time pressure can compound mental health challenges that are already prevalent in the construction industry.
Regular check-ins, a culture where workers feel comfortable speaking up, and awareness of the signs of mental distress are as important in winter as any physical safety measure. Managers should role model positive conversations around mental health and create a culture where looking out for each other is non-negotiable.
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