Winter Weather Safety

Posted By Brandy King
January 21, 2022 Category: Safety, Winter Safety, Winter Weather, Cold, Cold Safety, OSHA, Recordables, Frostbite, Hypothermia, Slips Falls, Ice Injury, Ohio BWC, Workers' Compensation

                                        Employers often assume that employees understand the basics of winter weather safety, until they witness a staff member go full "Flinstone" in the parking lot at the first sign of ice. The truth is, common sense isn’t as common as one might think, and a refresher is helpful for everyone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that more than 20,000 cold weather-related workplace injuries occurred in 2019, which is quite a reduction from 2014’s 40,000+. Many of these injuries occur in places that should be used to operating in severe winter weather (we’re looking at you, Ohio and Michigan). The majority are sustained from “same level falls,” meaning falls on the walking surface, not involving any heights or falling through another surface. Simply put, these can be very expensive claims, due to the nature of and treatments for musculoskeletal injuries. We know the most inexpensive claim is the one that never happens - so let’s talk about how to avoid some of the dangers brought about by the season.    1.    Clear and treat (salt) any walking surface that employees are expected or required to pass. This includes parking lots, sidewalks, ramps, stairs, etc.  2.    Monitor indoor walking surfaces for slippery areas where snowy shoes have been, cle