Ice and easy: Winter workers should take steps to remain safe in cold weather
James Tempo says icy parking lots still give him pause, thanks to his job at a local grocery store when he was in high school. “I’d have to collect the shopping carts from the parking lot, which was fine most of the time, but when there was an inch of ice on the asphalt, I could barely stay upright,” says the 32-year-old Chicago paralegal. “I’d come back into the store with the carts and my pants would be soaked because I probably fell five or six times. The fact that I’m not the most coordinated person didn’t help, I’m sure.”
Tempo says his managers at the store did their best to keep him upright but even with borrowed boots and time to warm up and recover, he often ended up on the ground looking up. “It was more embarrassing than anything else but I’ll admit I came home sometimes with good-sized bruises on my knees and butt,” he says. “And my wrists were always sore from breaking my fall.”
Winter weather presents hazards, including slippery roads and surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers must prevent illnesses, injuries or fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplaces impacted by winter weather, which can expose outdoor workers to potentially fatal frostbite, hypothermia and cold stress.
OSHA recommends the following work practices to stay safe in cold weather:
• Know the wind chill temperature to better prepare and perform their work safely
• Know the symptoms of cold stress; reddening skin, tingling, pain, swelling, leg cramps, numbness and blisters
• Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers
• Dress properly; cover your head and wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing, insulated gloves and boots
• Stay dry and pack extra clothes; moisture can increase heat loss from the body
• Take frequent breaks in warm, dry areas
• Drink warm liquids
To prevent slips, trips and falls, OSHA recommends employers spread de-icer and clear walking surfaces of snow and ice as quickly as possible after a winter storm. In addition, the following precautions will help reduce the likelihood of injuries:
• Wear proper footwear when walking on snow or ice.
• Wear insulated and water-resistant boots with good rubber treads.
• Keep rubber over-shoes with good treads that fit over your street shoes for use walking to and from buildings when conditions are icy.
• Take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react quickly to a change in traction when walking on an icy or snow-covered walkway.
– Marco Buscaglia