When it comes to winter work hazards, the first danger that typically comes to mind is slips, trips and falls. However, while increased slippery surfaces are a huge hazard, a bigger concern is the risk and the silent, hidden dangers that come with working alone during the colder, darker months. The condition of working alone can complicate and compound the risk of other existing hazards like workplace violence, resulting in occupational circumstances that require additional, special safety measures and protocols.

While working in isolation during winter impacts almost every industry in some way, there are several essential sectors particularly affected including remote electrical and water utilities, oil, gas and energy, home and community healthcare, as well as manufacturing. To safely perform their essential work during the colder months, employers can take proactive steps now to prepare their lone employees for the potential increased risk of winter work environments. Rather than planning and implementing reactive safety measures for their lone workers, employers can plan proactive safety steps for their team now, putting controls in place that prevent any harmful events from occurring at all. Healthcare professionals are experiencing the benefits of a proactive perspective for the occupational safety of workers in the industry; and researchers said that proactive risk reduction strategies (PRRSs) are essential for mitigating safety hazards and finding economic success.

Key risks of winter work for lone workers

These strategies are most effective when planned early and thoroughly, helping prepare the lone workers and the organization for the primary safety risks that these people will face during the cold season.

• Exposure to extreme cold: While it is the most obvious risk, exposure to extreme cold temperatures is very dangerous for people working alone because they do not have a coworker to monitor them throughout the day or their shift. This includes symptoms of cold stress which entails hypothermia and frostbite. 
• Slips, trips and falls: Many employees slip and fall during the winter on wet and icy surfaces and equipment, sometimes causing minor injuries. However, like the risk with exposure to cold temperatures, the severity of the simple hazard is amplified because the employee is alone, without another person to provide help if they fall or experience an emergency.
• Isolation risks: If a lone worker does experience an emergency or accident in winter conditions, they are at a significant disadvantage due to possible challenges in access to or accurately determining remote locations or communication with their employer or manager.
• Equipment and vehicle failures: Every year, nearly 120,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes that take place in snowy, slushy or icy conditions; more than 1,300 of these events are fatal. If a lone worker is driving work vehicles, they must have proper safety protocols like a journey management plan, which analyzes and documents work-related travel and driving safety hazards.
• Limited daylight and visibility: With less daylight in winter comes less visibility, as well as an increased risk of accidents. This risk is particularly threatening as it slowly impacts the workplace more and more until the winter solstice on December 21^st. Lone workers in low-visibility conditions are in danger of a range of potential increased hazards like tripping and falling, avoiding dangerous areas, and performing unsafe work practices.

Pre-work preparation

With such a diverse number of hazards threatening lone workers in the winter, the challenges can be best approached and managed through structured, pre-work preparation that equips the lone worker and company with the range of skills and knowledge needed for whatever lies ahead.

• Hazard and risk assessments: The first, most important proactive step is to assess specific work sites of occupational hazards and risks, incorporating and documenting the added risk of working alone in cold and/or slippery conditions. These hazard assessments are distinct to each work environment and make sure that the accident history of these sites is researched as well, including close-calls and incidents that may not have been reported. It is important to involve all levels of the organization when performing the hazard assessments and that the findings are accessible communicated to the employees working alone. 
• Training, education and awareness: Once they know the safety hazards they are facing, the employer can explore or develop safety training programs and sessions to mitigate the identified hazards such as safe winter driving or working in confined spaces. While online safety training – or e-learning – is accessible and easy to complete, research found that the best results came from the combination of several different, active training methods. Make sure the lone workers understand the reason why they are taking this training to help them practice and remember while at work; the same researchers found that safety training is only beneficial if it is habit-forming.
• Winter-ready gear and kits: Looking at the identified winter hazards, order and prepare any needed insulated and waterproof, high-visible clothing, footwear as well as gloves and face/head coverings. This includes emergency kits with the usual items like blankets, non-perishable food, flashlights and first-aid supplies, but also work vehicle-specific emergency kits for winter travel and driving. These vehicle emergency kits would have items useful in cold-weather emergencies such jumper cables, tire chains, flares, traction aid like sand or salt, and antifreeze.

Communication protocols

Complementing all of the proactive preparation are defined communication protocols that best address the risk and hazards of that specific work site. When working alone, the employee needs an accessible means to request help if they experience an accident. The communication protocols must be defined and practiced so that the person working alone can do so with limited interruption. This includes coordinated and planned communication like scheduled calls and text messages or regular check-ins that confirm the lone worker’s safety. 

Technological tools

To help lone workers stay connected during the winter and possibly in harsh weather conditions, they need to do so with technologies and systems that are reliable and straightforward in the cold temperatures. Modern wearable technology in applications like smart work clothing has been found beneficial for the monitoring of biometrics such body temperature or heartrate for industrial workers. Additionally, sensors can detect dangerous falls or impact and request immediate emergency help to that location.

Promoting mental well-being

One important element to working alone in the winter that tends to be underdressed is the mental well-being of the people working alone in the cold, dark conditions. When people experience a mood change with the seasonal change, it is called seasonal affective disorder or SAD. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, SAD can be prevented through a number of treatments including vitamin D and light therapy. But additionally, lone workers can stay happy in several ways like taking regular breaks to warm up, staying hydrated, connecting with coworkers, stretching and dressing in layers.

Comprehensive and creative approach

In addition to thoughtful preparation, the lone worker safety in winter is also dependent upon a comprehensive approach to their safety — with some creativity and flexibility, if required. Every work site and lone worker is different. Develop protocols and provide safety tools that can adapt to a work environment with shifting occupational risks. Invest in safety training and technologies that mitigate specific winter safety hazards in the workplace. If your winter safety protocols do not include the risks of lone workers, then it needs to be reviewed and updated. These people are worth it.