ExtraMileIssue9

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PREPARE FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
Slips, trips and falls are already a significant concern for most
transportation companies, often topping the list of their
workers’ compensation cause of injury reports. These injuries
naturally increase for those impacted by colder weather with the
added challenge of accumulating snow and ice patches throughout
uncovered workspaces.
Tips for Reducing Ice and Snow-related Injuries:
➼ Remind employees to shuffle their feet when walking through
the parking area, yard or other uncovered workspaces. This will
help avoid a fall on the ice by keeping feet in contact with the
ground at all times, and not directly placing one’s foot down
on unseen ice.
➼ Consider purchasing snow
cleats for your drivers and other
employees who travel through
such uncovered spaces. The most
common reason employees do not
wear cleats when provided is that they should be removed
when entering a vehicle in order to not create damage.
Therefore, look for brands that will not cause damage to
the vehicle and do not need to be removed, such as the pair
below. This will assist with employee adoption and utilization
rates on your investment.
➼ Consider a snow and ice detection sign
for your yard like this one. This additional
warning signage will not only act as a
reminder to employees re-entering the
space to use caution, but will identify the precise conditions
they should prepare for.
➼ Additional signage should be posted in breakrooms and around
the office and garage. This is common for any safety warning
or announcement, but still remains effective. Regular attention
to a risk will make it more prevalent in employees’ minds and
more likely to be considered.
New OSHA Walking Workspace Update includes Snow and Ice Removal
Not only should you focus on snow and ice removal for the safety
of your employees and to keep your injuries low, you now need to
do so to avoid an OSHA citation and fine. Effective January 17,
2017, OSHA included snow and ice removal to the Walking-Working
Surfaces regulation in order to protect employees from snow- and
ice-related injuries. 1
To stay compliant, create a removal plan that includes:
➼ Designation of more than one person to arrive prior to other
employees and ensure they are capable of snow removal and
laying salt. Always have a back-up employee should the other
be out of work that day.
➼ Proper removal equipment and PPE-like snow cleats for those
persons.
➼ A communication plan for times when accumulation is
inevitable to notify employees re-entering the space of the risky
conditions.
Stay compliant with OSHA and work to mitigate slips, trips and falls
that may lead to costly workers’ compensation claims by following
these simple steps.
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Sources:
1 https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9714
KATE MITCHELL
Risk Management Team Leader
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