Safety Stop – Winter Weather Toolbox Talk

Use this toolbox talk to prepare your teams for winter’s risks.

Winter weather can pose many different hazards at work. Temperatures drop and weather conditions like wind and rain make travel dangerous. All workers should keep safety top of mind both on and around the jobsite.

Winter Driving

Winter is one of the most common times of year for car accidents. You can easily lose control of your vehicle driving in wet conditions. The stopping distance for a vehicle travelling at 60km/h increases by 10m, that is almost two car lengths. The first 10–15 minutes of rain are the most dangerous, as oil and dirt mix with water, creating an extra-slick surface. The Control: Do we need to drive, and if so, slow down and back off. 10km/h slower and spacing out by another car length gives you more reaction time and space to stop.

Extra Clothing

As temperatures plummet, we all grab for an extra jumper, but at what cost? Jumpers and baggy pants can (and do) get caught on almost everything. Usually, it is just door handles and corners of the desk, but what if it was rotating equipment? Jumpers with hoods and hoods with draw strings can be drawn into machines in an instant with devastating results. The Control: Temperature control, and if not, PCBU’s should be identifying warm close-fitting clothing without baggy hoods and draw strings. Make a purchasing policy to only purchase low risk clothing. If personal jumpers are worn, ensure they meet the requirements of the policy.

Slippery Flooring

With rain comes mud and water on the floors. Left unattended, someone will likely suffer a soft tissue injury as they slip and fall. If the injury is sever enough, worker compensation and rehabilitation costs can quickly climb to 1000’s of dollars and there is the loss of production as they recover. The Control: Identify areas where mud and water pools and redirect the water away. For areas where people enter buildings with wet shoes, ensuring the flooring is rough enough to take some water. Cleaning schedules might need to be increased to ensure a build-up does not occur.

Colds and Flus

With the cold weather comes an increase in colds and flus. These are generally spread as we seek the warmth of inside, becoming closer to infectious people and often seeking less sunshine. The Control: If you are feeling unwell, notify your employer and stay away from other workers, often at home. Cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water. If you are unwell for long periods or vulnerable to flus, speak with your medical practitioner for further advice.

Summary

As with all hazards, if something doesn’t seem right, stop the activity and seek advice from your employer. Winter is the perfect time to slow down, and in doing so, you might save yourself or someone else an injury.

February 2026