Old Man Winter is Back!! and with him comes the risk for slip/fall injuries

Did you know that slips and falls are the third leading cause of workplace injuries in the US, according to BLS 2020.  In fact, statistics indicate that 67% of slip/falls occur on level walking surfaces.  While there are many contributing factors that can cause an employee to lose their balance and fall, this time of the year, the primary culprit is….  Winter Weather Conditions.

The average Workers Compensation claim from slip/falls is a staggering $48,575 according to NCCI/NSC data from 2020.  If your workplace incurs even ONE slip/fall injury this winter, the ultimate cost of loss can be over  $100K,  if you consider the direct and indirect costs of that one injury.  Whatever your profit margins, that’s a lot of money that needs to be recouped.  A better approach this winter may be to prevent slip/fall injuries from occurring at all.  This month, since Old Man Winter is visiting, we will be focusing on how to control slip/fall injuries during winter months.  Consider the following tips:

Employer Tips

• Plan ahead. Know how you will handle snow removal and ice treatments (subcontract to vendor or handle in-house)
• Distribute warnings via staff announcement system (email, bulletin boards, phone chain, etc.) to inform staff when ice/snow conditions are predicted
• Determine who your Essential Employees will be (those who absolutely need to be on-site during and just after a snow-storm). Consider offering flexible hours or home-office hours for non-essential employees during inclement weather emergencies
• Be sure parking lots, sidewalks, and entrances are completely cleared of ice/snow before permitting employee access. I’ve seen many situations where the parking lot is cleared, but mounds of snow are blocking access to entrances.  That won’t help!
• Block off potential areas of “Black Ice” to prevent access, and place Ice-Alert Monitors and Warning Signs along walking paths
• Be sure lighting is good to maintain visibility in and around the facility
• Keep maintenance staff on-call for frequent inspection and treatment of walking/working surfaces, especially entrances and stairways that may be prone to quickly changing conditions
• Maintain an effective matting system at all entrances to ensure that occupants’ shoes are dry by the time they walk off the mat and onto the primary floor surface
• Keep walkways, sidewalks, and lobbies clear of anything that may produce a tripping hazard, i.e. boxes, cords, decorations, clutter

Employee Tips

• Wear shoes with good traction
• If working outside in potentially icy/snowy areas, wear ice cleats such as Stabilicers, YakTrax, Winter-Tuff Spikes, Ice Trekkers, etc. Best Reviews Top Ice Cleats 
• Do the penguin shuffle!    Take small, short steps at a slower pace.  Avoid dragging your feet when striding.  This helps your shoe stay in contact with the ground and helps you maintain a centered base of gravity
• Avoid carrying objects in your hands. Consider wearing a backpack to keep your arms free, and keep your arms extended outward as you walk to maintain balance
• Use only authorized parking areas or walkways that have been cleared of ice/snow
• Walk in well lighted areas and anticipate black ice during melting and freezing periods. Keep your eye on where you walk!
• Use caution when entering/exiting a vehicle. Test the surface before stepping out, and maintain 3 points of contact