Slips and falls are the leading cause of lost days from work in the U.S. In fact, over one million Americans are injured due to slips and falls annually with the rate of injuries dramatically increasing during the winter months. With the weather turning frigid, company safety directors can help assure worker security with these eight simple workplace winter safety tips:

1. Inspect company vehicles to make sure they’re in good working condition for winter driving. Make sure batteries are charged, tires are properly inflated and there is at least a half-full tank of gas.
2. Inform employees of winter driving hazards. Always have employees remove ice and snow from windows, mirrors, and lights. Have them increase their following distance from 3-4 seconds to 8-10 seconds on wet or snowy roads to leave room in case they need to stop.
3. Make sure that powered equipment like snowblowers are properly grounded to protect workers from shocks or electrocution.
4. Clear walking surfaces of snow and ice to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
5. Evaluate snow removal tasks for hazards and plan how to do the work safely.
6. Always have employees wear footwear with non-slip or non-skid treads for increased traction.
7. Ensure outdoor workers wear brightly colored or reflective clothing to make themselves visible to drivers.
8. Educate employees on the risks of overexertion in the cold. Frigid temperatures can increase the risk of hypothermia, frostbite and heart attack — even in otherwise healthy individuals.

We at Security Specialists Want You and Your Workers to Stay Safe this Winter Season!