For many UK workers, cold temperatures aren’t just uncomfortable — they’re a serious workplace hazard. Whether you’re on a construction site, in a warehouse, making deliveries, or working entirely outdoors, prolonged exposure to the cold can lead to hypothermia, frostbite, and an increased risk of accidents due to reduced dexterity and slippery surfaces.
Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from unnecessary risks caused by cold conditions. That means taking reasonable steps to keep you safe — because no one should have to risk their health just to do their job.
What does the law say about working in cold temperatures?
UK law sets clear requirements for maintaining safe working temperatures. The key regulations that protect employees from excessive cold include:
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to ensure that indoor workplaces are kept at a “reasonable temperature.”
While there’s no strict legal minimum workplace temperature in the UK, guidelines recommend:
- At least 16°C for standard indoor work
- At least 13°C for physically demanding work
Employers must also provide measures to maintain reasonable warmth, such as heating systems or suitable workwear.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all UK employers must conduct risk assessments to identify and mitigate risks associated with cold temperatures. This includes assessing how the cold might affect workers and implementing measures to reduce risks in low-temperature environments.
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
For construction workers, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 set out an employer’s responsibility to protect outdoor workers from extreme temperatures. Employers must provide reasonable working conditions, which can include:
- Heated welfare facilities
- Appropriate PPE for cold weather work
Employer responsibilities for protecting workers in cold temperatures
UK law states that employers have a duty of care to protect their workers from the risks and dangers of working in cold temperatures. Your employer’s responsibilities include:
- Conducting risk assessments: Employers must identify the potential hazards their employees face from cold working conditions and take steps to mitigate these risks.
- Providing adequate heating: Indoor workspaces must be adequately heated where reasonably practicable. For outdoor workers, warm rest areas should be made available.
- Supplying appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): Workers should be provided with appropriate PPE for cold weather work, such as insulated gloves, thermal wear, waterproof jackets, and insulated boots to help maintain body warmth.
- Properly training employees: Workers should receive effective training on how to recognise and mitigate cold weather hazards, understanding the health risks of working in the cold, and how to use their cold weather PPE and other safety measures.
- Adjusting work schedules: Where possible, employers should schedule work to minimise the time spent working outdoors in winter. They should provide regular warm breaks and rotate tasks to limit time in low temperature conditions.
Employee rights and safety measures in cold working conditions
Employees have the legal right to work in safe conditions, even when working outdoors in winter or in low-temperature environments. To protect yourself and stay safe, you should:
- Report unsafe conditions: If your workplace is too cold, you have the right to raise concerns with your employer. If the issue isn’t addressed, you can escalate the matter to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Dress appropriately: Wear multiple layers, insulated footwear, and cover exposed skin to retain body heat. You can also request PPE for cold weather, such as thermal gloves, waterproof jackets, and insulated boots.
- Take regular breaks in warm areas: Warming up at intervals throughout the workday can help reduce the risk of cold-related illnesses.
- Monitor your health: Be aware of symptoms of cold-related conditions such as frostbite, hypothermia, and chilblains. If you start experiencing symptoms, seek medical attention.
Common health risks of working in cold temperatures
Working in low temperatures can increase the chance of injury or illlness. The most common health risks associated with working in the cold include:
Hypothermia
A serious condition caused when your core body temperature drops below 35°C. Symptoms include constant shivering, confusion, drowsiness, slowed breathing, and loss of coordination. If hypothermia is left untreated, it can lead to accidents, eventual unconsciousness, and even death.
Prevention: Wear warm, layered clothing, stay dry, and take regular breaks in heated areas.
Frostbite
A condition caused where the skin and underlying tissue freeze. Frostbite is most likely to strike in areas of the body that lose temperature the fastest, like fingers and hands, toes and feet, and the face. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pale or waxy skin, blackening skin, and hardening of the affected areas. Severe frostbite can cause permanent tissue damage and can even lead to amputation of the affected body part..
Prevention: Wear insulated clothing, especially on vulnerable areas like hands, feet, and the face. Take regular breaks in warm environments to prevent prolonged exposure.
Chilblains
Chilblains (also called pernio) are painful, red or purple itchy swellings that appear on the skin after exposure to the cold. They’re caused by blood vessels in the skin constricting when they’re cold, then warming up and expanding too quickly, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. The symptoms of chilblains include red, itchy patches on the skin, tenderness, and blisters in more extreme cases. Chilblains can be painful and cause long-term skin damage.
Prevention: Keep skin covered, warm, and dry when working in cold conditions.
Increased risk of accidents
Working in cold conditions can increase your vulnerability to a range of accidents. Being in cold environments, especially for extended periods, can reduce your coordination and your grip strength. It can also slow your reaction times and increase the risk of slips and falls on icy surfaces.
Prevention: Employers should ensure work areas are gritted and free from ice. Workers should also be provided with appropriate non-slip footwear and PPE for cold weather work. Time spent in cold conditions should be minimised as much as possible.
Can you claim compensation for working in cold temperatures?
If your employer fails to provide a safe working environment, including adequate protection from the cold, and you suffer an illness or injury as a result, you may be able to claim compensation for cold-related injuries at work.
Examples of employer negligence that could lead to a claim include:
- Inadequate PPE – If an employer fails to provide proper thermal clothing and protective equipment, leading to conditions like frostbite or hypothermia.
- Lack of warm rest breaks – Workers exposed to the cold for long periods without access to heated rest areas face a higher risk of serious health issues.
- Failure to prevent slip and fall hazards – Employers must keep workspaces safe by clearing ice and ensuring surfaces are not dangerously slippery. Neglecting this duty can lead to accidents and potential compensation claims.
How can Injury Lawyers 4u support your claim?
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we specialise in workplace injury claims, including compensation for cold-related illnesses and injuries. With decades of experience, our expert legal team can guide you through every step of the claims process.
We operate on a No-Win, No-Fee basis, so you won’t pay a penny unless your personal injury claim is successful. You can also use our compensation calculator to get an estimate of how much you could claim in general damages.
If you’ve suffered an injury or illness at work caused by cold conditions, whether in a warehouse, at a construction site or on a farm, please get in touch with us for a free consultation. Call us on 0333 400 4445 or fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you right away.