Workforce Management

Outdoor Work Safety Tips for Cold Weather

Chelsea Bikner
Outdoor Work Safety Tips
Reading time 4 Mins
Published on Nov 9
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From road crews to electrical linemen to first responders, working outdoors as the temperature drops is a necessity for some workers. Protecting employees when they’re working in cold weather is a top priority for your safety team, and that starts with educating and training employees of proper procedures to follow to help ensure their safety. Here are a few cold weather outdoor work safety tips that all of your outdoor employees should know and follow.

Layer up

Employees working outside in cold conditions should wear several layers of clothing. If you supply uniforms for your employees, be sure that the set they wear in the winter is cold weather rated for your zone. Layers should fit loosely to allow warm blood to be circulated to extremities. Clothing should be warm and thick, but shouldn’t restrict movement, which can create hazards on its own.

Protect your face, ears, hands, and feet. Wear boots that are waterproof and insulated with multiple layers of socks, if necessary. Pack extra socks. Once socks become wet, they can pose additional hazards for your feet and toes. Be sure to wear a hat and thick insulated gloves. The goal is to expose as little skin as possible to the cold environment.

Work on the buddy system

When employees are working in cold conditions, health issues and accidents can occur more frequently. Never send an employee to an outdoor worksite alone. Using the buddy system allows employees to monitor each other’s well-being and can prevent accidents or lead to faster response when an accident does occur.

Warm up

Take frequent breaks indoors in warm, dry conditions. If you’re working away from buildings or shelter, keep your vehicle running so that you have a warm cabin to retreat to when the cold becomes too overwhelming.

If you’re working near a shelter or other buildings, go inside for breaks. Remove any clothing that has become wet and change into clean, dry clothing – especially socks and gloves.

Stay hydrated and eat properly

Drink warm beverages. Decaf coffee and warm apple cider are excellent options for putting chills at bay. Consider bringing a heat-insulated thermos full of your warm beverage with you each time you have to work outdoors.

Since your body will be working double time to maintain a safe temperature, eat warm, high-calorie foods like pastas, stews, and chili. If you have to eat your lunch in the field, consider a heat-insulated food thermos full of warm soup.

Watch for danger

Trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia can all result from prolonged exposure to freezing or cold temperatures. Watch for the danger signs like uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, fatigue, confused behavior, and clumsy movements. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a co-worker, call for emergency help right away.

Safety and Sheakley

Remembering these outdoor work safety tips will help keep your employees safe during the harsh winter. Keeping your workforce safe is priority one for your company. Sheakley can help you develop better policies and provide assistance with training programs to help you achieve your safety goals. Register today for safety trainings offered by your partners at Sheakley to help keep your staff aware of the latest standards and protocols. Our experts are here to keep your employees and your business safe. Sheakley’s Workforce Management Services experts provide complete safety resources for your company.

Get your free safety consultation today with an expert from Sheakley. Stay up-to-date on all things Sheakley by subscribing to our blog and following us on social media. What are some outdoor work safety tips that your company utilizes to ensure the safety of their employees? Join in the discussion by commenting below.


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