Q&A: How can we reduce winter weather safety risks?

What steps should we take to prevent slips, falls, and other winter hazards at work?

The approaching winter can mean weather woes for you and your workforce. Winter weather hazards result in numerous health problems every year, including broken bones and back injuries from falls, heart attacks from shoveling, snow amputations from snow throwers and other mechanical snow removal equipment, and fatalities from road accidents.

Depending on the severity of injuries, medical costs can run into thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars per employee, and injured employees may be out of work for days or weeks. So, we all should take the necessary precautions to avoid the consequences of winter weather hazards.

Keep your workers safe on their feet

Preventing slips and falls is a major concern for everyone when outdoor surfaces are wet or icy, and slippery underfoot. Here are some suggestions to help your employees prevent falls and possible injuries:

• Wear appropriate footwear with nonslip soles on wet, icy, or snowy days.
• Take extra care when walking on wet, icy, or snow-covered walkways. Walk slowly and slide your feet on slippery surfaces. Avoid turning sharply when you walk on a slippery surface.
• Hold onto the railing when using outdoor stairways.
• Be especially careful when carrying packages, equipment, materials, etc.
• Wipe your feet when entering a building so that your wet soles won’t cause you to slip on indoor flooring.
• If you slip and start to fall, limit your injuries by bending your elbows and knees and using your legs and arms to absorb the fall. Or roll into the fall, if that’s more appropriate.

Make sure they’re safe on the road, too

Whether employees drive on the job or just commute to and from work, safe driving during the winter months is a major safety concern. Remind workers of these safe winter driving tips:

• Carry snow and ice removal equipment and traction materials in your vehicle, including a container of sand or cat litter for traction; an ice scraper, snow brush, and snow shovel; and a blanket to keep warm while waiting for help after a breakdown.
• Clear snow and ice off the windshield, windows, hood, roof, and lights before driving.
• Use windshield wipers and defroster to keep windows clear while driving.
• Reduce speed and stay at least 4 seconds behind the driver in front in wet, icy, or snowy conditions.
• Brake gradually.
• Watch out for icy patches. Bridges tend to ice up faster than other road surfaces. Shady spots stay icy longer. Winter roads are most dangerous when the temperature is just above freezing, since ice and snow melt, leaving a wet surface on top that is especially slippery.
• If you start to skid, take your foot off the gas and steer gently into the skid. Keep your foot off the brake.
• Watch out for other drivers. Many people drive poorly in snow or ice.

Remind them of safe snow removal tips

Whether employees must remove snow at home or at work, and whether they use a shovel or a snow thrower, there are a number of safety rules to keep in mind. Snow shoveling can be hazardous to your heart if you are out of shape, if you smoke, or if the snow is very deep or heavy. Heavy, wet snow can also be a killer on your back.

Tips for snow shovel use

• Bend your knees to fill your shovel and then lift with your legs, not your back.
• Don’t twist your body when you toss the snow from the shovel.
• Take only a little snow with each shovel load if the snow is heavy.
• Take frequent breaks to rest and stretch your back.
• Don’t overexert. Get help if the snow is extremely heavy or deep.
• Be sure to sand icy walkways, stairways, and ramps immediately.

Tips for snow thrower use

• Inspect the path you intend to clear and move foreign objects out of the way.
• Never remove or disable safety features such as guards, shields, or deflectors.
• Keep children and pets away from the area, and stop working if someone passes by on foot.
• Keep face, hands, feet, and clothing away from concealed, moving, or rotating parts.
• Never clear the discharge chute with the engine running.
• Shut the engine off and remove the key when you leave the equipment unattended.
• Don’t fill the fuel tank while the engine is hot or running.

The weather outside might be frightful, but a little bit of caution and common sense can keep us merry and safe throughout the winter season.

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