What Spanish legislation requires
The sole additional provision of Royal Decree 486/1997 requires measures against adverse weather in outdoor work and places that cannot be enclosed because of their activity. Assessment must consider the task and known personal characteristics or biological status. This provision also includes the workplaces listed in Article 1(2).
Where protection cannot otherwise be guaranteed, measures include prohibiting certain tasks during affected hours. With an orange or red warning from AEMET or the competent regional service, if planned measures do not guarantee protection, working conditions must be adapted, including reducing or changing working hours.
What a weather warning contributes
AEMET distinguishes the hazardousness of a phenomenon from the risk of its impacts: exposure and vulnerability alter the consequences. A warning concerns an area and period; check that they match the intended location and schedule.
Absence of a warning does not automatically authorise every operation. Equipment may have more restrictive operating limits and the location may have particular conditions. The decision must integrate manufacturer instructions, assessment and observation of the surroundings.
Prepare decisions before the event
Define who checks the forecast, how often and how changes are communicated to teams and companies working concurrently. Identify exposed tasks, available alternatives, shelter areas and access routes that may be affected.
The procedure must specify who decides to adapt or suspend an activity and how receipt of the instruction by everyone is confirmed. Sending an email is insufficient if the team works outside and cannot check it. Measures must be executable with the resources actually available.
Adapt, stop and resume
An adaptation may change the schedule, location or task, provided the alternative is safe. Heat protection also needs its own specific analysis: exertion, radiation, humidity, clothing and exposure duration are not addressed by air temperature alone.
Before resuming, check the location and equipment conditions. The end of a warning does not demonstrate that damage, instability, hazardous surfaces or blocked access have disappeared. Record the check and communicate restart with the same care as suspension.
Hypothetical example: outdoor maintenance
A team plans to maintain an outdoor installation during windy weather. The responsible person reviews the official warning, local conditions and limits of the equipment to be used. They decide to postpone the task and assign another activity in a safe area.
After the event, access routes and affected elements are inspected before work resumes. The record retains the forecast consulted, decision and subsequent check. The example illustrates a decision process; it does not establish a universal wind speed valid for every item of equipment or task.
