December 2024
2024-12-02 Winter Weather Tips
Winter weather presents hazards including slippery roads/surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold. Employers must prevent illnesses, injuries, or fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplaces impacted by winter weather.
OSHA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are working together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to severe weather. This page is designed to help businesses, and their workers prepare for winter weather, and to provide information about hazards that workers may face during and after winter storms.
Preventing Slips on Snow and Ice
To prevent slips, trips, and falls, employers should clear snow and ice from walking surfaces, and spread deicer, as quickly as possible after a winter storm. When walking on snow or ice is unavoidable workers should be trained to:
- Wear footwear that has good traction and insulation (e.g. insulated and water resistant boots or rubber over-shoes with good rubber treads)
- Take short steps and walk at a slower pace to react quickly to changes in traction
Preventing Falls When Removing Snow from Rooftops and Other Elevated Surfaces
OSHA’s Hazard Alert, Snow Removal: Know the Hazards Pamplet, and winter weather webpages provide guidance to employers on how to prevent serious injuries and fatalities. Employers should consider options to avoid working on roofs or elevated heights, plan ahead for safe snow removal and must:
- Provide required fall protection and training when working on the roof or elevated heights
- Ensure ladders are used safely (e.g. clearing snow and ice from surfaces)
- Use extreme caution when working near power lines
- Prevent harmful exposure to cold temperatures and physical exertion
Working Safely in Cold Weather Winter weather can expose outdoor workers to frostbite, hypothermia, and cold stress, all of which can be fatal. It is important to know the wind chill temperature to better prepare and perform the work safely. Follow these work practices to stay safe in cold weather: • Know the symptoms of cold stress; reddening skin, tingling, pain, swelling, leg cramps, numbness, and blisters. • Dress properly; wear at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing, insulated gloves and boots, and cover your head. • Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers. • Stay dry and pack extra clothes; moisture can increase heat loss from the body. • Take frequent breaks in warm, dry areas. • Drink warm liquids. For more safety tips, visit OSHA’s Winter Weather page.
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