Risk Management for Adverse Weather Conditions
This blog is developed from NIG Risk Assist to help you manage your business effectively during adverse weather. Use this blog to inform senior staff of steps to take when weather impacts your business to maintain continuity and safety.
Understanding the Impact of Adverse Weather
Numerous businesses across the nation may be impacted by weather variations and flooding. Often, there is little time to react when conditions arise suddenly. Employers have a legal obligation to keep the workplace safe during severe weather, ensuring all reasonable precautions are taken to prevent accidents or harm.
Guidance for Managing Weather Risks
You must continually evaluate hazards caused by unpredictable weather conditions and take appropriate action:
Review how weather patterns in the past affected your company, activities, and community.
Identify organisational weaknesses.
Consider compliance, operations, logistics, finances, people (staff and customers), locations, and your brand's reputation.
Breaking down responsibilities and assigning tasks allows procedures to be established to "expect the unexpected."
Health & Safety Measures
Staff working outdoors in bad weather must be given the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including caps, gloves, safety boots, and high-visibility padded jackets. Risk assessments should include:
The working environment and conditions of those under your responsibility
Reassessment during extreme weather, with additional protective measures if necessary
Cold weather increases risks in certain types of work, such as vibration-related injuries or falls in construction and manufacturing. Actions employers can take include:
Ensuring PPE remains effective or replaced when needed
Providing facilities for drying work attire
Offering additional breaks and hot beverages
Adding temporary warmth in rest areas
Strengthening supervisory inspections
Postponing or adding safety measures for high-risk tasks
Workplace Temperatures
Maintaining suitable workplace temperatures is a key legal requirement:
Workrooms should generally be at least 16°C; for physically demanding work, a minimum of 13°C
Consider the type of work and location, including outdoor work, cold storage, or glasshouses
Allow time for warming up or cooling down by alternating tasks or locations
Additional precautions may include temporary heating, extra clothing (e.g., fleeces or jackets), additional breaks, or hot drinks.
Contractors on your property may face increased risks during bad weather. Confirm their safety measures, method statements, and risk assessments have been reviewed professionally.
Human Resources and Staffing
Weather affects commuting, transport, and childcare. Employers may need to:
Implement flexible working hours
Provide emergency time off for flood damage or insurance matters
Establish minimum staffing coverage for critical periods
Consider alternative arrangements or remote working when necessary
Business Continuity
Business Continuity Management (BCM) helps organisations maintain service levels and respond effectively to emergencies.
Employers should have plans and policies in place for unexpected events or business interruptions. Many companies mistakenly assume disasters “won’t happen to us,” but weather-related disruptions often impact operations more than IT or telecom failures.
Ensure backup access to emails, stock records, reports, financials, and contact information to maintain operations remotely. For more guidance, see our business continuity blog.
Driving Risks in Adverse Weather
Company Drivers
Driving in bad weather requires careful planning to ensure employee and public safety, prevent accidents, and reduce breakdowns:
Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary, guided by your risk assessment
Monitor updates from the Highways Agency, Met Office, and local authorities
Adjust for conditions like rain, fog, ice, snow, or dust
Use defensive driving techniques and maintain weather-appropriate speeds
Plan for potential breakdowns or being stranded in remote locations. A template adverse weather policy is available here.
Talbot Jones Ltd is a family-run Chartered Insurance Broker specialising in Third Sector and Professional risks. Get in touch for free insurance advice, review, or quotation.
Talbot Jones Ltd incorporates March Insurance Services, a Chartered Insurance Broker specialising in Agricultural and Hospitality Risks.
