Cold weather is upon us, and that means there are additional hazards your field staff must be cognizant of and be prepared for. Help ensure your teams are not exposed to additional risk by addressing the main safety risks field employees face in the winter season.
Here are five quick winter safety tips to think about as you and your staff prepare for the season:
1. Traction is critical everywhere. Ensure both the footwear of staff and the tires of vehicles are sufficiently designed for winter weather in your region. Both should be inspected to ensure they are ready for the winter season. For staff who work in icy conditions, consider additional traction equipment, such as Yaktrax.
2. Inspect fixed ladders and other working surfaces. Walking and working surfaces need to be safe for your employees. Sidewalks and building entries are usually well cared for. Other, less-used surfaces can pose a danger because they are not inspected and maintained as often. Before sending staff up fixed ladders or onto work surfaces like roofs, ensure that they have proper fall protection PPE and that the surfaces are free of ice and build-up that prohibit safe use.
3. Parking and exiting vehicles. Ensure as much as you can that parking facilities are kept clear of ice. Train staff to be mindful of icy conditions known on your facility grounds and do your best to keep parking lots clear. Indicators advising of icy conditions are also helpful for those who are arriving at your facilities.
4. Proper warmups. Staff who work in the field should be performing a warm-up routine before they start physical work for the day. This warm-up can occur at the facility or out in the field, depending on how far they must travel – for longer drives we recommend warming up once arriving at work site. A quick stretch and warmup can help staff avoid musculoskeletal injuries like back and shoulder sprains.
5. Keep walkways and sidewalks at facilities clear. The routes that are most commonly used must be the clearest. Ensure that either staff or contractors are reliably cleaning off snow and ice ahead of work hours to minimize the risk posed to staff and the public.