Cold weather working

3.2.2External conditions

Allowance shall be made for cold weather conditions during construction.

Work should be planned in advance, and account taken of site and climatic conditions either by:

  • stopping work, or
  • taking adequate precautions.

The following conditions should be considered when scheduling work:

  • Wind (this can create a cooling effect which can reduce temperatures further, i.e. affecting the curing of concrete and mortar).
  • Shade (in particular high trees or adjacent buildings can block low winter sun and reduce temperatures further).
  • Valleys (sites in valleys are susceptible to increased risk of frost).

Where air temperature is below, or likely to fall below, 2°C, work should not proceed unless the precautions detailed in this chapter are adopted.

A thermometer should be sited in the shade and used to indicate if temperatures are rising or falling.