Get ready for winter

Stay warm, be safe, be seen.

How to reduce risk this winter

1. Your health and well-being

2. How to winter-proof yourself

3. How to winter-proof your surroundings

4. Advice for winter working

5. Advice for winter driving

6. How to winter-proof your home

This pack includes advice to protect you, your team, your site and your home this winter.

Your health and well-being

• Take advantage of our free flu jabs for all Thames Water employees. You can claim vouchers for use by the end of December 2012 or make an appointment at our main offices.

• Make sure you wrap up warm - almost half of all heat loss is through your head in cold weather.

• Hypothermia occurs when body heat is lost faster than it can be produced. Frostbite and immersion foot can occur at only moderately low temperatures, although prolonged exposure to cold would normally be necessary. Both Hypothermia and Frostbite can kill.

• The lower the temperature gets the more concentration is affected – resulting in an increase of accidents.

Winter-proof yourself • It's important that everyone has the correct

PPE to carry out their jobs safely. To ensure you and your team have the right gear please check the SHE14 checklist on the Portal.

• Consider wearing a winter liner under your hard hat to avoid heat loss, or overshoe grips to avoid slipping (pictured). View our winter warmers products.

• Keep your clothing clean as dirt reduces its insulating properties.

• Wear gloves whilst handling chemicals - liquids that evaporate quickly such as petrol, alcohol, anti-freeze and ether are particularly hazardous in cold weather as they take heat out of your skin as they evaporate.

Winter-proof your surroundings

• Whether you work on a construction site or not, take a good look around your working area, pedestrian walkways and car parks to check they are well lit and report any lighting that isn’t working properly. Make sure we have the right working conditions and there aren’t any hazards that could be hidden by shadows.

• Check there is a sufficient supply of grit available to keep paths and roadways safe.

• Erect wind screens or protective tents around your site to keep the cold out where possible.

• Check emergency showers to make sure they are working, not leaking, and not frozen. If the weather is freezing ensure the header tank is full and the shower is working before accepting a chemical delivery.

• Check outdoor first aid boxes contain a thermal blanket in case of emergency.

• Ensure your site provides heated welfare facilities, with facilities for storing, drying and changing clothes, as well as to make hot drinks.

Winter working • Whether you are on site, leaving the office, or on

your bike to or from work we want you to be safe so think about how visible you are to others – stay bright, stay safe.

• Tell someone where you’re heading and what time you expect to arrive.

• If you are on your own and feel vulnerable you can do things to reduce the risks, including carrying a safety alarm or using Solo, our lone working system so we can keep an eye on your safety.

• If you are working outdoors, try to avoid contact with cold surfaces, particularly metals. Cover metal handles and bars with thermal insulating material.

Winter driving

• Take care on the roads. Make sure you allow yourself extra time to travel, and give your car a winter check over – topping up your anti-freeze, checking your screen wash and wiper blades, and that you have good tread on you tyres.

• Think about reducing your speed and allowing yourself extra stopping distance between you and the car in front.

• Check the weather forecast before you travel.

• If the weather is really bad, consider whether you need to make the journey at all. You could consider using conference calls rather than travelling for a meeting.

• Consider packing some extra warm clothes, a blanket and high-visibility clothing in your car.

• Keep your phone charged up, just in case you get stuck. Write down important telephone numbers including your breakdown company.

Winter-proof your home

• All pipes that are exposed to the cold should be protected. This includes lagging pipes and taps on external walls, in the loft, in the garage and in unheated rooms to protect them from freezing or bursting. Find out more about how to protect your pipes.

• Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen at any time of the year, but the danger is greater during the winter. Any appliance in your home that burns fuel may emit carbon monoxide. Consider fitting an audible carbon monoxide alarm which is EN50291 compliant – however, fitting an alarm should not replace regular maintenance of appliances.

Winter-proof your home

• Fix dripping taps as even a small trickle can result in your pipes freezing.

• Insulate water tanks in unheated areas like loft spaces and garages. Check that your loft insulation is thick and in good condition, and run over the pipework where possible.

• When it's very cold, leave your loft trapdoor open so warm air can circulate.

• Check your boiler has been serviced, and leave your heating on low when you are away.

• If your property is unoccupied for long periods, turn off the water at the stopcock and consider draining down the system so there is no water left in the pipes.

If you have any safety concerns,

please report them promptly.

For winter safety updates, visit www.healthandsafetyhub.co.uk/thameswater