Health Effects Of Cold Weather Warning

With what looks like the return of traditional cold weather this winter and this week's arrival of unseasonably colder weather, the Met Office Health Team is monitoring the situation and issueing warnings of a range of associated health effects.

The team will be providing warnings through the winter to help make sure that certain people, eg those who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma and other respiratory illnesses, are prepared for times when there is an increased risk of illness.

The Met predicted that at the end of the month arctic winds would bring much colder conditions across the country, including overnight frosts and sleet and snow showers. Daytime temperatures will be in single figures — just 3 or 4°C in the north and no more than 8°C in the south. Widespread frosts are also likely overnight with temperatures falling as low as minus 3°C.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that the weather can influence the effectiveness and health of outdoor workers, with construction and telecoms engineering workers both being vulnerable. It recommends the introduction of some simple administrative controls to control cold environments, for example:

• ensuring the personal protective equipment issued is appropriate

• providing mobile facilities for rewarming

• encouraging the drinking of warm fluids such as soup or hot chocolate

• introducing more frequent rest breaks

• considering if work might be delayed and undertaken at warmer times of the year without compromising on safety

• educating workers about recognising the early symptoms of cold stress.

Further information about how the temperature of work environments can affect workers can be found on the
HSE website

Source: Croners / Met Office / HSE

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