As the weather warnings roll in, it’s a good time to pause and ask a simple question: are your people actually prepared for it?

Cold, wet and icy conditions don’t just make life uncomfortable, they increase the risk of slips, falls, driving incidents and poor decision-making. Most of the time the controls already exist, they just need to be shared and reinforced. Remember, it’s always best to take heed and pause high-risk activities until the storm has passed, rather than dealing with fallout from accidents or incidents.

Start with awareness. Make sure your policies, risk assessments and safe systems of work are circulated and easy to find. People cannot follow guidance they’ve never seen. Staff should understand their own responsibilities too, such as wearing suitable clothing and footwear for the conditions. Where your risk assessments identify specific items, for example outdoor work requiring warm, weatherproof PPE, that remains an employer responsibility.

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common seasonal issues. Wet leaves, ice, snow and rainwater being walked indoors all increase the risk, and strong winds can make the hazards worse by blowing debris onto walkways or forcing doors open unexpectedly. If your walkways are not slip-resistant when wet, put controls in place. That might mean warning signage, absorbent slip-safe mats, umbrella buckets at entrances and regular checks to make sure floors are staying safe throughout the day. Remind staff not to take shortcuts across grass or unpaved areas, which can quickly become treacherous when wet.

Keep an eye on the forecast. When freezing temperatures or high winds are predicted, warn staff in advance and prepare your site. Grit walkways, divert pedestrians to safer routes and close off unsafe areas if needed. In windy conditions, check for loose materials, temporary structures, unsecured signage and waste that could be blown over or become airborne. Fencing, hoardings and outdoor furniture should be inspected and secured or moved if necessary.

Lighting often gets overlooked. With darker mornings and evenings, hazards become harder to spot. Ask yourself whether people can clearly see and avoid risks both inside and outside your buildings. A simple walk-around at different times of day can highlight poor lighting, and staff should be encouraged to report lights that are out, or areas they feel are unsafe.

Working at height deserves extra attention. It remains the biggest cause of fatal and serious injuries at work, and winter weather only increases the risks. Wind is a major factor here – gusts can destabilise ladders, MEWPs and scaffold platforms, and increase the risk of loss of balance or being struck by falling objects. Wet or icy ground can also compromise stability at ground level. Anyone working at height should be familiar with the relevant risk assessments and understand when work should be postponed due to weather conditions, including wind speeds exceeding safe limits.

Travel is another key area. Strong winds increase the risk of vehicle instability, especially for high-sided vehicles, and can bring down trees, debris and power lines. Make sure staff know what to do when weather warnings are issued and who to contact if conditions deteriorate. Encourage sensible vehicle maintenance, such as up-to-date MOTs, and good practice like carrying an emergency kit. If the Met Office advises against unnecessary travel, your procedures should be clear. Alongside the Met Office, pay attention to local and national police warnings and advisories, as well as government warnings. Amber warnings should trigger case-by-case decisions, with an expectation that plans may change at short notice. Red warnings are reserved for severe conditions with a real risk to life and, for non-critical roles, best practice is usually to advise staff not to travel.

None of this is new or complicated, it’s just about planning, communication and taking seasonal risks seriously rather than reactively.

A little preparation now can prevent injuries, stress and difficult conversations later.