Werner Winter Weather Warning to Take Extra Care When Working at Height

With Amber and Yellow warnings for wet and windy weather in force this week, Werner is issuing a warning specially to those working at height.

Not Worth It

“For trade professionals, bad weather can play havoc with work schedules and, for the self-employed, no work means no money. Whilst it might be tempting to take what may seem a calculated risk, it really isn’t worth it,” said Dave Elson, Compliance Manager at ladders and access solutions specialist Werner. “A fall could result in a broken limb or, worse still, lead to a more serious injury or even death.

“All trade professionals, when working at height, need to factor in the additional danger when weather takes a turn for the worse. Werner’s ‘Safety before you use a ladder’ information guide warns trade professionals not to place a ladder on slippery surfaces or place loose materials underneath a ladder. Clearly, placing a ladder on icy ground will substantially increase the risk of injury and the work should be deferred until conditions are safe.

Policy

“It is incumbent on Health & Safety managers, or those designated with such responsibility, to make company policy clear on health and safety at work; and to provide regular training and refresher courses to ensure safety precautions are always ‘front-of-mind.’

“If alternative jobs can be undertaken indoors with your skills set, then prioritise those. By doing so, this will help prevent a job from falling behind schedule and protect your body from harm.

“Always use ladders and access equipment that are fit-for-purpose for a particular job, and choice of footwear becomes even more important in snow or ice, where high-grip boot tread is essential.”

HSE Injuries

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and industry data indicates that slips, trips, and falls are more frequent in autumn and winter due to environmental factors. There were 680,000 non-fatal injuries in Great Britain according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey in 2024/25, with 8% resulting from falls in height.

Werner offers a range of training options, including the Ladder Association’s Ladders & Stepladders Users Course. Through its Stepping Up to Ladder Safety campaign, professionals can also access downloadable guides on ladder selection, inspection, and safe use.

>> Read more about working in extreme weather in the news