Workplaces across the UK are grappling with plummeting winter temperatures and a renewed cold snap that has brought snow, ice and travel disruption, raising questions about what employers must do to protect staff in freezing conditions and when work might reasonably be paused.
The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings for snow and ice, with wintry showers and icy surfaces expected to persist through this week and into the weekend when Storm Goretti is forecast to bring further snow and strong winds to many regions. Snow accumulations of 5–10 centimetres are possible in parts of England and Wales, and much more in parts of Scotland already affected by heavy snow earlier in the week.
Against that backdrop, a health and safety lawyer has outlined what UK workers need to know about their rights and employers’ responsibilities when working in cold temperatures.
Cold Weather Hazards at Work
There is no legal minimum or maximum temperature for workplaces in the UK, but employers are required to provide a safe working environment under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The law also requires temperatures in indoor workplaces to be reasonable, and guidance suggests a minimum of 16 degrees Celsius, or 13 degrees Celsius for tasks involving “rigorous physical effort.”
Employers must carry out risk assessments that consider temperature, work patterns and exposure to cold, and consult with staff or their representatives about hazards.
Sarbjit Bisla, who is part of the specialist health and safety team at legal firm Weightmans, said employers have duties that cover cold conditions. “Employers owe a general duty under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.”
He added that the law explicitly includes risks arising from cold temperatures and requires workplaces to provide sufficient thermometers so people can judge conditions for themselves.
Despite the legal duties, there is no automatic right for a worker to stop working simply because temperatures are low, and decisions must be based on risk assessments. If conditions are judged to pose a risk to health or safety, employers are expected to act to reduce that risk.
Practical Steps for Employers
Bisla set out several measures employers should consider when temperatures drop:
- Check that indoor workspaces maintain a reasonable temperature, with local heating where necessary.
- Reduce draughts while maintaining ventilation.
- Provide protective clothing where appropriate, such as insulated gear in cold stores.
- Offer insulating floor coverings or special footwear for people standing on cold surfaces for long periods.
- Adjust work arrangements to limit exposure, such as through job rotations, flexible patterns or additional breaks.
- Relax formal dress codes so staff can wear additional layers where safe.
He emphasised the importance of consulting workers and safety representatives as part of risk assessment and mitigation, noting that this process should be recorded and reviewed regularly.
Winter Weather Hitting UK Life
Meanwhile, the UK is experiencing the effects of a broader winter weather event that has already impacted transport, schooling and travel. Snow and ice warnings have been in place across much of the country with temperatures dipping as low as -12.5°C in places, and continued icy conditions posing hazards for commuters on foot and on the roads.
Storm Goretti, the first named storm of 2026, is expected to bring a “multi-hazard event” later in the week with potential for snow, wind and rain across southern areas, complicating the commute for many workers and potentially affecting the safety of journeys into workplaces.
Public transport has already faced disruption due to snow and ice, and authorities have urged travellers to check conditions and consider whether journeys are necessary. Meanwhile, schools across Scotland have remained closed for several days in the hardest-hit areas, and councils have declared incidents as communities cope with heavy snowfall.
Cold Weather and Worker Wellbeing
From a workplace wellbeing standpoint, cold conditions combine with weather-related disruption to create additional stress for employees. Commuting challenges, travel delays and physical discomfort at work can all affect concentration, productivity and mood.
Employers that plan ahead by considering weather-related risk assessments and adjusting work practices are better positioned to support staff through periods of extreme cold and wintry weather.
In all cases, the emphasis under UK health and safety law is on reasonable practicability. Workers should raise concerns through available channels, including safety representatives where present, and employers should consider cold weather risks alongside other common workplace hazards.