How to Protect Your Employees Against Winter Safety Hazards
In Canada over 42,000 workers get injured annually due to fall incidents. This number represents about 18% of the "time-loss injuries" that were accepted by workers' compensation boards or commissions across Canada (based on statistics from Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada, 2016). Incidents caused by falling can occur at any time, but there is a particular high risk during the winter season for an employee to slip on an icy surface.
Due to factors like cold temperatures, snow, and ice, winter brings additional hazards that you don’t face during the rest of the year. This makes it extra crucial that employers take steps to create a safer workplace. Proactive employer preparedness is essential to prevent and or lower costs related to incidents, lost time from work and legal action.
Prevent Falls
To prevent slips and falls, employers should ensure to regularly clear ice from walkways, doorways, driveways. This should not just include places where employees are working, but also in outdoor break areas and parking lots to ensure workers are able to exit their vehicles safely. In addition, make sure to remove any spilled water before it can freeze and turn to ice. Finally, encourage employees to take extra precautions. This may include reviewing as part of safety talks and could include using footwear with deep treads and, whenever possible, reporting hazards such as ice immediately.
Be Aware of the Signs of Frostbite and Hypothermia
At very cold temperatures, one of the most serious concerns for employees working outdoors is the risk of hypothermia or dangerous overcooling of the body. Another serious effect of cold exposure is frostbite or freezing of the exposed extremities such as fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Hypothermia could be fatal in absence of immediate medical attention. If employees are exposed to extreme cold, they will need to be monitored for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. The signs of the first include hard, pale, numb skin, blisters, and stiffness in the joints or muscles. Indications of the second are shivering, fatigue, slurred speech, and poor coordination. Hypothermia is a medical emergency. At the first sign, find medical help immediately. The survival of the employee/victim depends on their co-workers ability to recognize the symptoms of hypothermia. The victim is generally not able to notice his or her own condition. If you suspect that an employee is suffering from either condition, move the person to somewhere warm and seek medical attention.
Increase Employee Involvement in Safety Programs
Health and safety programs are most effective when employees are engaged. By involving workers in the planning of these programs, they are given the opportunity to provide their own insights and feel that their voices are being heard. This will also assist to boost company morale and culture.
Together with employees, run through established or newly created a risk assessment where evaluate winter-related hazards can occur. Create a strategy to minimize risk through specific control measures such as cleatchs, inspections and job specific training. Encourage employees always and immediately to report all incidents that occur. This will aid to ensure the employer has an accurate record of risks. Ideally, a review of this information should take place at regular intervals and once the program has been implemented, it is recommended that the company hold a subsequent meeting with employees and or committees to discuss the need for any updates.
One final way to make sure everyone on your team is prepared for the winter is to offer workplace health and safety training. At MHSA, you can find a range of courses for everything from safety basics and hazard assessment to specialized safety programs. Visit our online portal to enroll your employees in courses they can study at a time that suits them.