According to OSHA slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. It’s no secret that slip, trip and fall accidents increase substantially during the winter months. However, Slip, Trips and Fall incidents during inclement weather are preventable if we have a system in place to assess and manage the risks.

The system should identify the outdoor areas used by employees/ pedestrians most likely to be affected by water and ice, for example: – building entrances, parking lots, walkways, shortcuts, sloped areas and areas constantly in the shade or wet.

The following are recommendations to help guard against Slips, Trips and Falls during inclement weather:

Always try and wear the best non-skid shoe possible, especially paying attention to the type of weather you will be exposed to. Shoes that have worn, slick soles should not be worn. Avoid high heels during inclement weather. Select something that has a large surface area, which has good traction. If you work in an area where there is a lot of water, then pay special attention to brands that have superior anti-skid properties.

Action should be taken whenever wet/freezing temperatures are forecasted. Local weather stations and their web sites are a great source of information.

• Designate a Weather Team
• Encourage employees to monitor weather reports to help prepare the workplace.
• Increase awareness by posting daily weather briefings.
• Distribute sand, salt or ice melt before employees are scheduled to arrive.
• Use salt, sand, ice melt or similar on areas prone to be slippery in frosty, icy conditions.
• Put a procedure in place to prevent an icy surface from forming and/or keep pedestrians off the slippery surface
• Divert pedestrians to less slippery walkways and barrier off existing ones.
• If warning cones are used, remember to remove them once the hazard has passed or they will eventually be ignored.
• Institute frequent floor surface monitoring by designated staff throughout a weather event.
• Have dry mops and wet floor signs readily available.
• Consider closing side entrances if you lack the resources for frequent inspection and maintenance.
• Post an employee at entrances during peak hours to encourage wiping feet on mats. You can also post a sign to get attention.
• Purchase entry walk-off mats and make sure that they are not so thick as to block the swing of entry doors.
• Extend mats 8 to 12 feet into the entrance to allow for the removal of moisture from shoes. A rule of the thumb is to have the mat long enough so that each footsteps on the mat three times.
• Be sure walkways are clear before releasing staff early from work during storms.