Preventing non-freezing cold injuries on construction sites

Have you heard of a non-freezing cold injury (NFCI)? If not, you may be more familiar

with the informal name “trench foot”, which was the term used for the condition when it was observed in soldiers during World War 1. Even now, the injury is mostly associated with war, with 151 NFCI claims made against the Ministry of Defence in the financial year 2022-2023.

However, it is not an issue exclusive to those on the front line; in fact, anybody who works outdoors is at risk of sustaining an NFCI. Construction workers therefore need to be cautious, particularly given that UK winters are growing ever colder.

What is an NFCI?

An NFCI is brought about by prolonged exposure to cold (but not freezing) temperatures and wet conditions. This causes blood flow to be restricted to some areas of the body. The feet are usually primarily affected, but the hands can get injured too. The area will change colour before beginning to swell. This can lead to infection or gangrene, in addition to long-term symptoms which mean that the person affected should not be exposed to cold conditions for prolonged periods of time. If a construction worker sustains an NFCI, their career and livelihood could therefore be at risk.

An employer’s responsibilities

While there is no specific law which states conditions that are unsafe for work, the Health and Safety Act 1974 does stipulate that employers must do everything they reasonably can to protect their workers’ health and wellbeing in the workplace. There is also government guidance in place advising that 16°C is the minimum temperature at which employees should be safely working, or 13°C if the work involves severe physical exertion. Those working on construction sites should therefore closely monitor the weather and constantly manage the risk of NFCIs in line with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which require every employer to make a sufficient risk assessment.

In addition, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 state that protective clothing or work equipment must be arranged to protect workers against adverse weather conditions. In the context of a construction site, insulated and waterproof clothing and shoes may be suitable.

Preventative measures

Employers should ensure that all those working on a construction site are aware of the symptoms of NFCIs, so they can immediately stop and seek guidance if they notice any of the warning signs. Employers may also wish to advise construction workers to do the following:

• Regularly wriggle their fingers and toes
• Bring spare clothing, gloves and socks to work, so that they can change as soon as possible if the layer of clothing next to their skin becomes wet
• Check their hands and feet frequently
• Take regular breaks to warm up
• Make sure their boots are not too tight.

Insurance is key

An NFCI is just one of many injuries that could be sustained from working on a construction site. In a high-risk environment, it is essential that employers are strictly adhering to health and safety legislation and government guidance in order to minimise the risk of harm to their staff.

No matter how many precautions are taken, however accidents and injuries do happen; it is therefore vital that employers and contractors are adequately insured to ensure they are fully protected in the event of a workplace accident or injury claim. The team at Focus can help brokers source the most appropriate cover for their construction clients. To find out more, please get in touch on 0345 345 4511 or email sales@focus-insurance.com.