Winter weather often means an increase in slips, trips, and falls. The snow, ice, freezing rain, and cold temperatures can create more hazardous conditions for workers.
To improve workplace safety, inform your employees of the dangers surrounding winter weather and educate them on strategies to prevent injury.
Consider the following safety tips:
- Wearing proper footwear is critical to preventing slips, trips, and fall. The most preferable for winter weather are insulated, weather-resistant boots.
- Walk slowly and with short steps to help prevent injury.
- When entering and exiting vehicles and equipment, use the 3-point rule – always have at least three points of contact with the equipment. This provides the most stability.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on the path in front of you in order to spot potential risks.
- Use extra caution at building entrances and exits as these areas can be especially slippery.
- When possible, avoid carrying heavy items or keeping your hands in your pockets. Having your hands/arms free helps increase your ability to catch yourself if you lose your balance.
But it is not enough to just inform your employees about the hazards, you should also take action as an organization. Your policies and procedures should outline guidelines for addressing winter weather hazards and keeping walkways clear and dry. Who will be responsible for keeping an eye on the forecast and spreading deicer as quickly as possible to prevent ice buildup? Do you have proper signage to mark wet or slippery surfaces until they can be cleaned up? Who will be removing snow and how will you ensure they’re using safety precautions? These are just a few of the questions to consider when creating procedures for handling winter weather hazards.
And don’t stop at documentation. These processes also need to be well-communicated across the organization in order to be effective.
This winter, help keep your workers safe and reduce the likelihood of injury from slips, trips, and falls!
