The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released information to ensure workers remain safe during the colder, shorter days ahead.

The advice focuses on employers in farms, construction plants and places where staff work outdoors or on their own. These places of work have been advised to have ‘suitable, robust procedures in place'. The HSE recommends vehicle lights should also be carefully checked and cleaned.

HSE principal inspector of construction Peter Black, said: "For those working outdoors, the winter months bring additional challenges to keeping safe. Cold weather and shorter periods of daylight mean there is more potential for accidents to happen. With a little planning and common sense these can be avoided."