Winter Slips, Trips and Falls: Avoiding Injury and Incidents in the Workplace

Winter Slips, Trips and Falls: Avoiding Injury and Incidents in the Workplace Employers have a responsibility to take the right precautions and prepare their employees for any weather conditions. By David PerecmanJan 27, 2021 Ensuring a safe work environment is an important action an employer must take to protect the safety of staff, management and consumers from injury and accidents. Winter months pose a unique challenge for employers, as inclement weather conditions can be unpredictable and swiftly create unsafe surroundings. According to SFM, the average winter slip and fall lost-time claim is between $40,000 and $45,000. Proactive employer preparedness is essential to prevent costs related to accidents, lost time from work and harmful legal actions. Preventing Common Winter Workplace Hazards Knowing the common winter weather-related hazards in the workplace can help an employer identify where an injury could potentially take place and prevent it from occurring. Sidewalks, Streets and Floors. Un-shoveled sidewalks and streets can pose a serious threat to workers and others who enter the building or facility site. Sidewalks and streets should be salted after snowstorms and ice storms in order to improve walking traction and prevent falls. All snow, ice and debris should be removed from walkways or common areas before workers return to the workplace following any weather events. Employers should encourage their workers to walk slowly and pay attention while walking in order to maintain safety in slippery areas. Gutters should also be checked regularly and drained away from walkways in order to prevent slips. Lastly, mats should be placed in entryways to help reduce water being tracked indoors. Stairs and Ladders. Even without winter weather, a fall from a stair step or a ladder is likely to cause injury. Factors like broken or nonexistent handrails or deteriorating steps can increase the risk of a slip or fall. Running, not using a handrail or walking on a wet ladder or stairs can also increase the risks of hazards. Elevated Heights. Falls from elevated heights, such as snow-covered rooftops, can bring serious or fatal injuries. Employers in industries like construction should ensure that rooftops are cleared of snow, as they may conceal fall-through hazards like skylights, powerlines and snow removal equipment. Let's block ads! (Why?)