Winter Hazards: Slips and Falls in the Workplace

Even though it may feel like we have had our share of winter already this year, the fact is that there is plenty of winter weather ahead and countless days where winter safety needs to be a priority. Whether at home, at play or at work, slips and falls on ice and snow are the cause of injuries like:

• Twisted ankles and knees
• Sprained wrists and shoulders
• Strained backs and necks
• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Contusions and scrapes

While some of these injuries may result in significant time loss from work, there can be additional impact on organizations, such as:

• Decreased productivity
• Increased replacement employee costs
• Increased overtime for existing employees

And if the accident happens at work:

• Increased workers’ compensation costs

Construction sites and outdoor work environments seem the most obvious applications for winter hazard safety strategies however, every employer is vulnerable to winter related accidents in the workplace and should implement winter hazard safety measures.

Under the Workers’ Compensation Act, employers are not only obligated to provide a safe working environment for employees but also safe entry to and exit from work while on company owned and maintained property. This includes parking lots, walkways, stairways and entrance ways.

As an employer, you may not be able to manage what your employees do away from work, but there are some ways that can help prevent or reduce ‘on-the-job’ accidents and injuries:

Outdoors:

• Make sure parking lots, walkways, stairs and entrance ways are cleared, cleaned and salted as quickly as possible.
• Confirm your expectations with maintenance staff or your snow removal contractor regarding which areas to clear and salt first, where to put the snow and how quickly it needs to be done following a weather event.
• Keep containers of salt and snow shovels readily available.
• Make sure snow removal equipment is maintained and good working order.

Indoors:

• Keep floors in hallways, cloakrooms, reception areas, stairwells and other high traffic spaces dry.
• Establish your expectations with custodians regarding how indoor surfaces need to be maintained during the winter.
• Use ‘Wet Floor’ or ‘Slippery Floor’ signs where indicated.
• Use winter floor mats at entrance ways and high traffic areas and keep a supply of dry mats to swap out as necessary.
• Consider using floor fans to help dry areas quickly.

Organization Safety Plans:

• Review incident reports from prior years to identify problem areas
• Be proactive in addressing problem areas – through repairs, improvements or implementing additional safety measures
• Alert staff to increased hazard areas through regular safety meetings or posting hazard signs
• Develop and implement a ‘Winter Slip and Fall Prevention’ program with your Health and Safety personnel or your employees.

Employee Safety Reminders:

• Use proper footwear 
• Watch your step
• Pay attention to changing floor surfaces and your surroundings
• Don’t rush or take shortcuts
• Keep your hands free and avoid using your cell phone while walking
• Report and/or address unsafe conditions as you come across them

Although these tips may not prevent all slips and falls during the winter, they will help reduce the risk at your workplace.

If you would like further information regarding Slips and Falls Prevention for your workplace, you can reach us via email at [email protected], [email protected], contact us directly, during business hours, using our chat feature or by phone, at 1-844-377-9545 or you can always connect with us on Facebook ,Twitter , or LinkedIn.