Winter Safety

Winter is upon us! Many of you are getting and have received your first snow of the season, with more freezing temperatures, snow, and slick conditions on the way. Working and traveling in snow, ice, and other slick conditions increases the risk of slip, trip, and fall injuries in addition to vehicle accidents. 
 
Here are some points to consider to help protect you, your employees, and your family.

Safety considerations for all employees:

•  Provide training and communication on winter safety
•  Safety meetings, tailgate safety sessions, company bulletins
•  Establish and communicate footwear guidance
•  Provide slip on traction cleats for shoes to help on snow and ice
•  Wearing appropriate clothing for the conditions
•  Hypothermia is a brain/mental trauma so you may or may not realize the amount of trouble done

When at the shop or company office:

•  Establish an inclement weather policy.
•  Create a snow removal plan (who, when, how).
•  Remove rooftop snow (if any)— be sure to identify access and fall protection measures!
•  Consider spreading ice melt for early arrivals, paying special attention to entryways. 
•  Establish designated paths for inclement conditions and focus primary ice/snow control efforts on                 those areas.
•  Use appropriate mats outside and inside of building at all main access/egress points. 
•  Place ice melt buckets at all main access/egress points.
•  Consider playground sand as an alternative for sensitive surfaces.
•  Consider ice alerts (icealert.com) to alert employees and patrons of icy conditions.
•  Consider sitting stations at main entrances to allow employees to change shoes/shoe chains.
•  Create a safety policy on space heaters. 

Driving in extreme weather:

Here's what you need to know about being safe while behind the wheel.

Before yo go:

• How to respond in a skid

• Don’t assume that four-wheel or all-wheel-drive vehicles will handle better on ice

• Make sure tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread

• Make sure snow chains are in good repair and fit your current tires

• Top up anti-freeze and winterized (nonfreezing) windshield fluid. Replace worn wiper blades

• Sand or kitty litter helps with melting snow and creating traction

• Share you whereabouts/travel plans with others.

• Check weather and road conditions. 
•  These cameras are amazing and real-time all over the state of Oregon! 

When driving:

• Increase following distance. 
• Rule of thumb: Add one second to the normal 3 seconds for each additional road hazard, such as: 

heavy rain; ice or snow;  low visibility; fog; high winds; slow-moving vehicle    

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Minimize braking by using lower gears for better control. 
• Never use cruise control when roads are wet or icy.
• Turn on low beams to improve visibility. (High beams can cause glare and decrease visibility.)
• Use caution when approaching bridges or shaded areas, which are more prone to freezing.

If snow chains are required, pick a safe pull-out area. Use flares or reflective triangles and reflective vest for visibility.
 
Don’t forget the vehicle emergency kit

High-visibility vest, traffic cones or triangles, tow rope, flares, bottled water and food, headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables or jump starter, ice scraper, blanket or sleeping bag, waterproof lighter or matches, pen and paper, a stocked first-aid kit, including prescriptions, chains that fit your tires, snow tires, warm clothes and outerwear, including hat and gloves, sturdy shoes/boots, multitool knife, duct tape, and cell phone charger.