Ten Essential Winter Safety Hacks for Lone Workers

February 3, 2025|Industrial Hygiene in the Workplace, Lone Worker

By: Gen Handley, Contributor

Safety hacks can save lives. These are the simple, cost-effective pieces of information that are often learned from years of experience in the industry and can be very effective when enhancing safety practices within the workplace.

Simple safety hacks are particularly effective for helping increase lone worker safety in the winter—when hazards are more frequent—and employers and employees need to be more adaptable. Lone workers can face major challenges in accessing emergency contacts if they need help while on the job. The occupational hazards lone workers face are so complex that a new lone worker partnership was formed between OSHA and NIOSH last fall, focusing on the safety of lone workers in the U.S.

When winter conditions are incorporated, the complexities, as well as the safety risks, increase, putting lone workers in more danger. The key to keeping these people safe and productive is through preparation and overall awareness of the safety risks hidden in the work environment. Below are 10 winter safety hacks that will help protect lone workers during the winter, as well as help them stay happy and comfortable in their jobs.

In winter, outdoor/lone workers who travel should dress in layers, not only for added warmth and temperature regulation, but for flexibility to remove or add layers as needed to remain warm and dry. © Sandra – stock.adobe.com

#1: Plan Your Route

Something that many employees do not perform but should do: plan their routes during the winter. Because of the increased slippery, wet conditions, driving and travel during the winter months can be dangerous, requiring preplanned routes, as well as strategies on how to remain in communication with the mobile, lone worker in case they need help.

To thoroughly plan a worker’s route, a journey management plan can be created, which outlines all of the hazards they could face during this specific travel period, as well as steps and protocols to mitigate these identified hazards. These occupational hazards can entail dangerous weather and road conditions, travel/driving fatigue and motor vehicle accidents.

For traveling lone employees, regular check-ins from the employee and GPS communicators are effective monitoring strategies to consider. Automated check-in systems will include features such as check-in messages, which communicate information and details about their circumstances beneficial to their safety.

#2 Dress in Layers

When actually driving, it’s important to be dressed properly for it—or at least be able to adapt to any changes. When traveling on the road, dress in layers, not only for added warmth and temperature regulation, but for flexibility to remove or add layers as needed to remain warm and dry.

A really good tip for planning layers when working is to have a moisture-absorbing base layer, like merino wool or polyester (avoid cotton); an insulating mid-layer (a fleece hoodie or sweater); and then a waterproof outer layer, such as a rain jacket or shell. The outer layer may need to be a couple of sizes larger, depending on how thick and how many mid-layers. This same rule applies to pants if working or travelling in wet conditions.

#3 Maintain Proper Hydration & Nutrition

It is because of heavy clothing, as well as high rates of energy expenditure, that lone workers must also pay attention to how much they drink and eat on the job. According to researchers, workers’ thirst response can decrease by up to 40% in cold weather, making them more unaware of dehydration. Additionally, the dry conditions that cold temperatures create will result in a need for increased water consumption throughout the shift.

To stay hydrated, bring a thermos or insulated container of a non-caffeinated, warm drink, such as herbal/decaf tea or even hot chocolate (caffeine is diuretic). Lone workers can also bring soups, which not only hydrate, but also nourish and energize while working. Also, pack calorie-dense snacks like trail mix, or protein and nut bars.

When temperatures plummet and snow starts to fall, employers and lone workers need to prepare and plan as much as possible, allowing them to effectively manage any challenges that Mother Nature might present during the winter months. © Smoky – stock.adobe.com

#4: Take Breaks To Warm Up & Hydrate

To help stay hydrated, take regular breaks of at least 10 minutes in a warm, dry area. OSHA recommends workers should take frequent short breaks to warm up while working during the winter as well.

With teams, workers can rotate and take breaks to warm up and hydrate, but lone workers do not have that support. Because lone workers do not have a coworker to remind them to take a break, set a reminder or alarm to take them regularly. A tip for lone worker safety is to teach them how to quickly identify areas where they can safety take a warm-up break.

#5 Prepare an Emergency Kit

Especially when working alone, it is imperative to have an emergency kit available nearby. However, for work during the winter, emergency kits must be updated with essential items, including lightweight space blankets, flares, hand warmers, first-aid supplies, non-perishable food items and water, hand-crank flashlight, salt (to melt ice), a whistle, a phone charger and extra batteries.

Make sure this kit is updated and refilled every year, looking at potential new items that can be added. When updating the emergency kit, consult and work with the lone worker to determine which items could be the most beneficial in an emergency scenario.

#6: Check & Maintain Equipment Regularly

Like the winter emergency kit, all equipment lone workers use needs to be checked and maintained more regularly for working safely in the cold temperatures. Particularly for employees working alone, prepare their tools, equipment and PPE for cold and wet conditions so they continue to function properly.

Set reminders to assess and check the equipment; for vehicles, stock deicer, antifreeze and snow chains for cold driving conditions. The key to catch an issue in the equipment before it causes any problems for the lone worker. This includes technology and essential mobile apps that can be affected by the cold temperatures as well.

#7: Know Early Signs of Hypothermia & Frostbite

Like the equipment they use, lone workers must also learn how to assess any cold-related health problems. Lone workers should be trained in identifying the early signs of hypothermia, which include shivering, slurred speech and drowsiness, cold and pale skin, and numb extremities, like hands and fingers. They also should be able to spot the preliminary signs of frostbite, which can include changes in skin color; the feeling of prickling, pain or numbness; and pale or yellowish skin.

Once a worker identifies any of these symptoms, they can receive immediate medical attention, preventing any more harm. Make sure they dress in layers, as mentioned above, and prepare any extra warm clothing for emergencies. Also, have lone workers regularly check in with their manager or employer to confirm that they are OK while working in cold conditions.

When assessing occupational hazards in the workplace, look at how the change in daylight during the winter impacts visibility in specific walkways and work areas. © Eugen – stock.adobe.com

#8: Anti-Slip Solutions for Footwear & Workspaces

Along with the dangers of working in cold temperatures, winter presents an increased risk of slipping and falling from its wet, slippery surfaces. When employees are working alone, they do not have a coworker to provide help if they fall and injure themselves. Therefore, lone workers need to be provided with the best footwear for the conditions, or at the very least, anti-slip shoe grips and attachments that can be added to their normal footwear as required.

In addition to footwear, employers can look at work environments where lone workers perform their jobs and identify areas that can be cleared and cleaned to make walkways safer during the winter. To make walkways and work environments safer, it may require some minor reorganization of the area, but it’s worth it.

#9: Optimize Lighting & Visibility

Along with making sure walkways and work areas are clear and safe, an often-missed detail is lighting in these areas, which can significantly impact where a lone worker is walking. When assessing occupational hazards in the workplace, look at how the change in daylight during the winter impacts visibility in specific walkways and work areas.

If lone workers need to work when it is dark, provide them with a headlamp, as well as any warm, high-visibility clothing. Comparable to reorganizing safer walkways, companies should look at adding or improving lighting in areas where lone workers may be at risk of injury or visibility is a challenge.

#10: Stay Informed & Adaptable

Last and most importantly, lone workers need to simply be connected and adaptable in order to remain safe in the winter. Winter is about planning ahead and prevention—while preparing as much as possible for what could occur and adapting to those situations.

Closely monitor weather forecasts in lone worker areas and adjust safety protocols as needed. Identify areas of potential risk and provide training and education, such as snow removal or driving in winter conditions. Also, provide satellite communications and technology for real-time monitoring to communicate weather alerts, as well as requests for emergency help and requests.

ADAPT and Stay Safe

These are 10 practices that, when performed consistently during the winter, will help make sure that those working alone are not only safe and warm, but hydrated, happy and aware of their work surroundings. Especially when the temperatures plummet and the snow starts to fall, employers and lone workers need to prepare and plan as much as possible, allowing them to effectively manage any challenges that Mother Nature might present during the winter months. IHW