UK Safety Expert advises on managing workers comfort in winter
When workers are uncomfortably wet, cold or hot, it’s not only a wellbeing issue, but a safety risk. Arco, the UK’s leading health and safety expert, has launched a campaign to help workers and business owners to understand the critical factors that impact thermal comfort and compromise safety.
As we move into the winter season, people who spend time working outdoors will face freezing temperatures, heavy rain and strong winds which can cause irrational or unsafe behaviour as ill-equipped employees can make mistakes and take shortcuts to avoid being exposed. Studies show that accidents can increase by up to 35% as a result so it’s essential that employers ensure workers are protected from the effects of working outdoors, in order to prevent cold stress and cold related injuries. To support, Arco has created an expert advice page, where you can access guidance, download material or explore their range of winter clothing.
Individual needs
Thermal comfort is affected by many factors, some environmental and some of them personal to individuals. A person’s physical characteristics should always be considered when reviewing thermal comfort; factors such as their size and weight, age, physical fitness level and gender can have an impact on how they feel, even if environmental factors such as air temperature and humidity are constant. For instance, some people may feel uncomfortable carrying out the same task as others in the same environment. This means workers will need to be able to adapt what they wear to achieve their own optimum level of thermal comfort.
The Layers
Wearing layers is the perfect way to ensure outdoor clothing is suitable for the conditions. A breathable base layer sits next to the skin and wicks away moisture keeping the body warm and dry. A mid layer, known as the ‘insulating layer’ should provide warmth. This layer should be fitted to allow minimum air movement, which ensures that maximum heat is retained, while still letting perspiration escape from the base layer. Workers undertaking high aerobic activities may only need a base layer and outer layer if the weather is bad as they will be generating a high level of warmth, but they may still need a warmth layer for periods of rest.
An outer layer is the shield against wind, rain and abrasion. Employers need to ensure this layer is fully waterproof, windproof, breathable and durable. This includes hazard protective clothing, such as high-visibility jackets and over trousers, which should be worn when hazardous environments or situations arise. The wearer should also look for an outer layer that is breathable enough for their chosen activity, so they don’t overheat. Comfortable workers can stay outside longer and work safely.
Arco’s outdoor clothing range provides a high-quality selection of outer coats and jackets, mid-layers including fleeces, bomber jackets and softshell jackets, specifically for the winter months. For more information on these products and to download Arco’s free expert resources, visit Arco’s expert advice page on winter weatherwear.
About Arco: What they do and how they’re different
Arco is the UK’s leading safety products and services company. Its core purpose is to keep people safe at work. It distributes a world-class range of over 170,000 quality assured, branded and own brand products, including personal protective equipment, workwear, safety footwear, gloves, workplace safety and hygiene products. It is unique.
Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage the most complex and high-risk, high hazard scenarios. Specialising in working at height, confined space and respiratory management, they deliver solutions for those working in situations with the highest risk of serious injury or irreversible damage to health.
Headquartered in Hull, Arco reaches its customers through its extensive product catalogue, website and national network of retail stores. The company has sales of over £320m and employs more than 1600 people nationwide. Its 400,000 sqft National Distribution Centre distributes products to 25k customers in the UK and Ireland, dispatching 150 pallets and 8000 parcels a day. Arco makes it easy for customers to procure and issue PPE with services such as digital procurement, vending, a mobile issue unit, wearer packing and branded workwear from their in-house Clothing Centre based in Preston.
As the market leader, Arco is committed to helping shape the UK’s safety agenda in order to ensure workers go home safe every night. Through an extensive public affairs programme, Arco experts have contributed to some of the key debates on health and safety regulation, product quality and standards, PPE procurement and emergency planning.
Arco is committed to providing safety equipment that is genuine and compliant with relevant standards and regulations, Arco tests both its own product range as well as carrying out surveillance on other products in the market to ensure compliance. With a five-step product assurance process, Arco remains the only safety distributor with an independently accredited testing laboratory, this assisted by a team of specialists in their Xiamen, China office who support with sourcing, quality control and factory inspections. Additionally, it is a member of the BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers Scheme, and Arco experts sit on numerous Standards Boards.
Arco was the first member within the H&S industry to join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) incorporating its internationally recognised code of labour practice into its own ethical policy and in 2010 became a member of Sedex, the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange. To ensure ethical standards are met throughout its supply chain, Arco carries out regular independent supplier auditing. Working with the ETI and other regulatory bodies, the company plays a leading role in helping to educate and eliminate modern day slavery across the globe.
Principles of sustainable development have long been embedded in the way Arco does business. Arco’s Sustainability Action team has committed to ensuring the business behaves responsibly in all areas, investing significant time and resource to identify ways to reduce plastics, packaging and recycling.
Founded in 1884 and with a heritage spanning five generations, Arco demonstrates traditional family values and is dedicated to its Corporate Social Responsibility policy. Arco is committed to help keep communities safe, inspire young people to achieve their full potential and to enhance local life, making the communities they serve better places in which to live, work and invest. It does this through charity and community support, donating 1% of pre-tax profits each year. Arco also gives colleagues two days’ paid leave each year to volunteer in the community and the opportunity to partner with and sponsor community groups and charities, forming lasting relationships that support them in the vital services that they offer.
For more information, visit www.arco.co.uk
