Key Points
- Research suggests wearing multiple layers, including moisture-wicking and insulated layers, helps maintain body heat while working outdoors in cold weather.
- It seems likely that taking frequent warm-up breaks in heated shelters, especially below -7°C, reduces the risk of cold stress and hypothermia.
- The evidence leans toward staying hydrated with warm, sweet drinks and eating high-calorie foods to support energy needs in cold conditions.
- Monitoring for symptoms like numbness or reddening skin, and using a buddy system, can help prevent serious cold-related health issues.
Clothing Tips
Detailed Guidance on Working Safely Outdoors in Cold Weather
Working outdoors in cold weather can be a frosty adventure, but let’s not turn into human popsicles, okay? Here’s how to stay safe and warm with a chuckle, breaking down each tip into bite-sized, laugh-worthy pieces, informed by sources like the CDC, OSHA, HSE, and Safe Work Manitoba. Below, we outline key strategies, each backed by research and practical insights, to ensure you navigate cold conditions without turning into a snowman.
Clothing 🦺
Dressing for cold is like making your mom’s lasagna: layered, dry and extreme.
#1 💡 Layer Up
Let’s start with the obvious: more clothing means more heat.
But it’s not about piling 5 or 6 layers on. You can achieve total workplace cold weather safety with just three…
- A sweat-wicking base layer to keep any sweat off your body.
- A fleece middle layer to trap heat within your clothing
- A windproof and waterproof jacket top layer to keep the elements at bay.
Working like this, with just a few highly efficient layers, is better for mobility and safety when on the job.
#2 💡 Care for your Extremities
Hat on your head, gloves on your hands, boots on your feet. It seems pretty simple, but so many outdoor workers neglect to look after their head, hands and feet in the ‘heat’ of battle with the job.
The fact is that keeping your extremities warm keeps your body warm.
With an insulated hat, pair of gloves and pair of boots, you’re reducing your chance of frostbite and hypothermia. So, be sure to treat them like the VIPs that they are.
#3 💡 Stay Dry
Wet clothes steal heat super quickly.
Any bit of clothing that could vaguely be described as damp can lower your body temperature and put you at the mercy of the elements around you.
You may find it impossible to avoid your clothes (especially your middle and outer layers) from getting wet, so we’d highly recommend packing extra dry clothes.
Every few hours, you can change into a new bit of dry kit, thereby preserving your body heat.
Scheduling 📅
Cold got you shivering like a leaf in a blizzard? Time for breaks, buddy—your body needs a timeout from the freeze.
#4 💡 Time your Work
It’ll come as no surprise to hear that some parts of the day are inherently warmer than others.
Between 3pm and 5pm are the warmest parts of any day, as sunlight is absorbed by the ground and is being released during those times.
For the highest level of safety in cold outdoor workplaces, do the bulk of your work during these peak temperature hours.
#5 💡 Find a Warm Spot
A heated shelter is a god-send for outdoor work environments, especially when it’s below -7°C.
However, not every worksite has one. Farm from it, in fact.
Warm break shelters should be provided by your employer, but many workers are left to find their own shelters to seek refuge from the bone-chilling weather.
Make sure that whatever shelter you have, or find, you’re protected from the wind and cold as much as possible.
#6 💡 Take Regular Breaks
It’s not just about where, but how often you take your breaks.
Current cold weather safety guidelines suggest a 5-minute break about every 45 minutes.
Giving your body, especially your extremities, a regular break from the cold can be super beneficial for both your health and productivity.
Nutrition 🍎
Cold weather doesn’t mean you skip the snacks—your body needs fuel to fight the chill, not turn into an ice cube.
#7 💡 Drink the Heat
We doubt, at the age of manual outdoor work, that you need an explanation of why hot drinks heat you up…
…so here’s a list of simple drinks you can drink when working in cold weather.
- Tea/coffee
- Soup
- Hot chocolate
- Warm oatmeal
Remember that dehydration can zap energy when out on the job.
Dehydration is harder to detect in the cold, so make sure to be drinking some kind of hot beverage from an insulated flask at least every breaktime.
#8 💡 Eat like a Bear
We don’t mean honey and small mammals…
…more like any high-calorie foods that are easy to pack.
These kinds of foods are coal for the furnace of your body, giving you constant boosts of warm energy when working in the cold outdoors.
Foods like…
- Nuts
- Energy bars
- Whole grains
- Eggs
- Fruits
Safety 👷♂️
Don’t let cold sneak up on you like a ninja—keep an eye out for trouble, or you’ll be in a frosty pickle.
#9 💡 Spot the Freeze
There are a bunch of signs when it comes to you or your colleagues being cold on the job.
Aside from the obvious side effect of ‘feeling cold’, you might notice you might notice…
- Body numbness
- Body tingling
- Red, blue, purple or brown skin in patches
- Waxy-looking skin
- Joint stiffness
- Blisters
If you notice any of these symptoms in one of your colleagues, immediately move them to a warm place, remove any wet clothing, and gently warm the affected area using warm water (not hot) or body heat.
#10 💡 Buddy Up
The buddy system might have worked well on your school trips, so there’s no reason it wouldn’t work in the working world.
Trust us, when you’re working in cold weather, it’s not always obvious to spot the symptoms (from tip #9) in yourself.
Working with a partner can be a fantastic way to notice the effects that you miss.
#11 💡 Avoid Metal Contact
Tongues stuck on lampposts are a classic sign of cold weather.
On the outdoor worksite, you might notice the same when your colleague is holding a buzzsaw with bare hands.
In all seriousness, making contact of bare skin on metal can result in immediate pain and numbness, quickly leading to ice burn or frostbite.
Wear gloves. Not just to avoid bare skin contact with metal, but also to keep your extremities warm, as mentioned above.
Environmental Preparations ❄️
Don’t get caught out cold.
Make sure you’re prepared for the environment around you.
#12 💡 Pack your Safety
The most wonderful preparations for safety in outdoor work look like a full safety kit.
We’re talking…
- Emergency blankets
- Heat packs
- Extra clothes
- A thermometer
In many jurisdictions, these are items that your employer is legally required to provide, but if they don’t, it’s great to be prepared yourself.
Mind the Wind Chill, Not Just the Thrill: An unexpected aspect is wind chill, which can make moderate temps feel like Antarctica with wind. Check wind chill charts, like those from OSHA (Cold Stress), to plan work safely, as it can spike cold stress risks.
- Gear Up Like a Winter Warrior: Ensure PPE like gloves and boots are insulated and waterproof—cold gear isn’t fashion, it’s survival. HSE stresses this prevents injuries, especially for machinery tasks, keeping you warm and safe.
Work Scheduling and Training
Cold weather isn’t an excuse to wing it—plan smart, train hard, and don’t turn into a snowflake under pressure.
- Work When It’s Warm, Not When It’s Stormy: Schedule outdoor tasks for warmer parts of the day, like avoiding the early freeze. Why fight Old Man Winter at his peak when you can dodge him, per OSHA and HSE advice?
- Train Like You’re in a Cold War: Get trained on cold stress risks—know the symptoms, prevention, and what to do. It’s like learning to dance before hitting the icy floor, so you don’t slip up, as the CDC recommends for worker safety.
- Follow the Rules, Don’t Freeze the Rules: Employers need procedures per safety regs, like Part 4.12 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, as noted by Safe Work Manitoba, covering you legally and literally.
Physical Activity and Movement
Move it or lose it—keep active to stay warm, but don’t sweat like you’re in a sauna, or you’ll regret it.
- Shake It Like a Polar Bear: Keep moving to generate heat, but don’t overdo it—sweating means damp clothes, and damp means cold faster than you can say “brrr.” Balance is key, per Safe Work Manitoba advice.
- Don’t Turn Into a Sweat-sicle: Heavy work can make you sweat, and that’s a one-way ticket to Freezerville. Pace yourself, or you’ll be trading your shovel for a blanket mid-shift, as they warn against overexertion.
- Stay Active, Stay Alive: Light movement keeps blood flowing, warmth going—think of it as your body’s personal heater switch. Just don’t dance too hard and melt the snow around you, keeping activity moderate for safety.
Table: Summary of Cold Weather Safety Tips by Category
| Category | Key Actions | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Wear layered, moisture-wicking, insulated clothing; protect extremities with hat, gloves, boots | Prevents heat loss, reduces frostbite risk; pack extra dry clothes |
| Breaks | Take frequent warm-up breaks in heated shelters, especially below -7°C | Reduces cold stress; use relief workers for long tasks |
| Hydration | Drink warm, sweet liquids; eat high-calorie foods | Maintains energy and body temperature; prevents dehydration |
| Monitoring | Watch for symptoms like numbness, reddening skin; use buddy system | Early recognition prevents serious conditions; partner assistance in emergencies |
| Preparation | Carry safety kit with blankets, hot packs, extra clothes; check wind chill | Ready for emergencies; assess safety based on wind chill charts |
| PPE and Training | Ensure suitable PPE; train on cold stress risks | Prevents injuries; empowers workers to recognize and address cold stress |
This detailed guidance ensures you can navigate cold weather safely, maintaining both health and productivity. By following these strategies, you can minimize the risks associated with working outdoors in cold conditions, keeping the laughs flowing and the frost at bay.
Winter injuries
Most winter injuries that occur are falls from ladders, oven burns, broken bones from slipping on ice or snow, muscle strains from shovelling, ruptured discs from heavy lifting and hypothermia. The body does an excellent job of maintaining a constant temperature, but extended exposure to cold can overwhelm your body. If you must stay outside for a long er period during cold weather, try to wear at least 3 to 4 layers and always stay dry where possible. Because we have a lot of Christmas dinners, office parties and friends gatherings, we often drink a glass of wine or another alcoholic drink. Note that Alcohol use can make you more susceptible to hypothermia. If you walk home late at night, try to avoid long walks or walks in snowy weather.
Snowing and safety
In some parts of the United States or northern Europe, the average snowfall is approaching 3 meters. That’s a lot of snow to shovel and some people suffer from muscle fatigue or lower back pain. So, how to shovel correctly? Try to shovel within 24 hours after the snow has stopped snowing to clear your walkways. In this way, it’s not icy and easier to remove. Keep your back straight while raking leaves, digging holes, or shovelling to maintain the natural curve of your spine.
If it’s slippery outside, take the time to wear boots with a good grip on the bottom and change your shoes when you arrive at your destination. Being mindful of how you walk in winter can help reduce the chances of slipping on ice or a snowy road. Take short, slow strides with slightly bent knees, almost like waddling like a penguin. Try to keep your balance with your arms at your sides. Leaving your hands in your pockets will make it harder to keep your balance. Use handrails or anything you can grab whenever possible.
If you fall and can’t get up, think you have a broken bone, or are in severe pain, you probably need emergency care and don’t be afraid to call. Nausea and vomiting, confusion or disorientation after the injury, increased sleepiness, seizures or blood-thinning medications, always try to see a doctor.
Winter ergonomics tips:
- Wear proper footwear made for icy and snowy conditions.
- Walk slowly and avoid long steps.
- Slow things down — try not to rush or run outdoors.
- Keep de-icer or sand on hand for when things get slippery around your house.
- In case of injury, always have your cell phone with you.
Cold Temperature
Although winter ergonomics, whether it’s air conditioning in the summer or poor heating in the winter, an office that is too cold can make it difficult to concentrate. Sitting in a cold office can boost your concentration, but it wouldn’t be comfortable. On the other hand, since the standard focuses on men’s body heat production, they are more likely to feel cold than their male colleagues. Always bring a jacket, scarf or sweater to the office and try to move often or do some desk stretches.
How can Fit for Work help?
To learn more about setting up or managing an ergonomics programme that supports staff working from home or in the office or support with staying legally compliant, you can reach out to Fit for Work. For more information on our Ergonomics Self-Assessment and Education Tool, contact us.
