Tuesday January 16, 2024 | Well being at work
Vigilance is essential when it comes to working in the cold to carry out your professional activity. The distribution of an interministerial circular of November 29, 2023 relating to the prevention and management of cold, associated with a guide, specifies the contours.
Cold alert and risks at work: the essentials for employers and workers – © DR
In a winter period with temperatures regularly below zero degrees and snow showers, vigilance is essential for field workers or those who regularly work outdoors.
Whether in a heatwave or extreme cold situation, the Ministry of Labor reminds that it is the responsibility of employers to respect their obligations to protect their employees from the risks relating to extreme temperatures.
Employees must also take precautionary measures to prevent the various risks of accidents.
A interministerial circular of November 29, 2023 relating to the prevention and management of cold was released to this effect on November 29, 2023. It is accompanied by a revised national guide relating to the prevention and management of health and social impacts linked to cold waves in the period 2023-2024.
Among the sectors of activity particularly exposed to extreme cold, leading workers to work outside, include:
- BTP ;
- retail business ;
- agri-food;
- transports ;
- logistics ;
- certain craft trades (roofers, etc.).
Measures to be implemented by employers
In the event of persistent cold, the employer must take the following measures:
- adapt the organization of work;
- transmit appropriate information to the employees concerned;
- use suitable protective equipment: gloves, insulating pants and jackets, overtrousers, socks, hats;
- plan outdoor work according to weather conditions;
- train staff in first aid procedures;
- limit work in cold areas and provide appropriate breaks;
- provide employees with localized heating devices (for positions particularly exposed to the cold).
Exposure to cold: risks for workers
Faced with extreme cold, employees must benefit from sufficient protection to limit the risks:
- hypothermia (characterized by chills, fatigue, confusion or loss of consciousness);
- musculoskeletal disorders) ;-
- of gelures;
- a reduction in blood supply to the fingers;
- of cramps.
The most effective prevention is to avoid or limit working time in the cold.
Useful official resources
2024-01-16 15:36:25
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