The holiday season may be over, but the season of winter weather conditions continues, creating an increased risk of slips and trips.
Paladin Security’s safety experts offer Organizational Security & Safety Training, as well as Occupational Health & Safety Consulting to guide our clients through the process of creating systems to ensure employees are safe in the workplace.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), over 42,000 workplace injuries are due to fall accidents. The majority of these, or about 66%, are same level falls due to slips and trips. The inevitable winter ice and snow just makes for a more hazardous environment that may increase the risk of injuries.
In an effort to support a safe winter season, see below, some helpful tips to guide you through!
General Tips for Surviving Winter
- Keep walkways clear. Remove hazards immediately such as water on floors and stairs, and snow on sidewalks.
- Mark hazardous areas whenever necessary. Use temporary signs, cones, barricades, or floor stand signs to warn workers passing by.
- Select footwear with appropriate traction. You may also wear removable ice cleats when walking outdoors. Just remember to remove them indoors.
Tips for Snow Removal
- Clear off the heavy snow with a shovel. For best results, use a specialized snow shovel.
- Sweep off the leftover snow.
- Apply an eco-friendly ice-melter to keep the ice from forming longer.
Tips for Walking Safely in the Winter
- Wear footwear with heavy treads for increased traction.
- Make yourself visible to drivers by wearing brightly colored jackets or clothes.
- Consider wearing sunglasses to enable you to see through the bright snow reflection.
- Keep your hands out ready to steady yourself in case of slips.
- Avoid carrying heavy loads that may tip your balance.
- Test slippery areas by tapping a foot before walking.
Getting through the winter season without suffering a slip, trip, or fall is not a difficult feat with the right preparation and presence of mind. Just remember that safety should always be the top priority in every season, all the time. Stay safe #PaladinFamily!