A GUIDE TO WINTER SAFETY PLAN AND PREPARE FOR THE COLD AHEAD
WINTER SAFETY CONTENTS WINTER SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01 Wear Layered Clothing Stay Hydrated Take Breaks Frostbite and Hypothermia Proper Heat Ventilation Winter Driving Wear Good Shoes Clear the Path Slip and Fall Statistics Snow Shoveling WINTER SAFETY CHECKLISTS . . . . . . . . . 04 Home Safety Precautions Industrial Safety Precautions SUMMERSTEP SNOW MELTING MATS . . . . .
WINTER SAFETY A GUIDE TO Winter Safety PLAN NOW FOR COLD AND ICY CONDITIONS With many unpredictable weather conditions year after year, get ahead of the game by taking precautions before the cold and snow set in. Prepare your home and business now and have a plan so that winter does not take you by surprise. WORKING IN THE ELEMENTS Cold weather can pose some major hazards if you haven’t prepared for it. Failing to recognize and respect the dangers of winter is not recommended.
02 edly. Get inside if signs of either begin to show. If a co-worker seems to be manifesting signs, help them get help immediately. Be aware of others and take care of each other. PROPER HEAT VENTILATION If using a non-electric heater, ensure that there is proper ventilation to let gases like carbon monoxide escape. People often use temporary, propane-powered heating equipment at home and on the job site, making it easier to finish projects on time and on budget.
WINTER SAFETY • • • Fractures are the most serious consequences of falls and occur in 5% of fall cases. Slips and falls do not constitute a primary cause of fatal occupational injuries, but represent the primary cause of lost days from work. Slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and are the lead- ing cause of occupational injury for people aged 55 years and older.
04 cially for those individuals who do not engage in regular cardiovascular activity. According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 11,000 people seek shoveling-related hospital treatment each year for injuries (93%) or cardiac issues (7%). Here are some tips from the National Safety Council for safe snow shoveling: • • • • • • • • • Individuals over the age of 40 and/or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful.
WINTER SAFETY WORK SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Keep walkways clear of pallets, boxes, or other items. Take extra time to keep floors clean and dry. Any snow tracked into your facility can quickly create a dangerously slippery surface. Department of Labor recorded 42,480 workplace injuries and illnesses involving ice, sleet, or snow that required at least one day away from work to recuperate. Of these reported incidents, 82% resulted from slips or falls on level ground (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
06 SLIPANDFALLSTATISTICS Protecting yourself, your family, and your employees from slip and fall accidents is a priority, especially when icy and cold conditions arise. Prevent these incidents by preparing now and by educating those around you about slip and fall safety. 65% 65% of fall-related injuries occur from same-level walking surfaces. Over 1 Million 60% The services, wholesale, and retail trade industries accounted for over 60% of injuries that resulted from same level falls.
