Winter Work Hazards You Should Be Worried About

Winter Work Hazards

Winter will arrive. Naturally, this means that employers will have to deal with colder temperatures and slicker surfaces for their employees. The safety risks, however, are even more dynamic than that. The worker may be more vulnerable to harm or worse as a result of these new circumstances’ complexity and difficulty.

Employers and businesses should start planning for winter work safety now, even though the leaves haven’t yet started to turn color and fall from the trees. This will help them be ready for any occupational uncertainties that may arise in the future.

The Dangers of Working in the Winter

Not only may winter labor be hazardous because of the slick surfaces and chilly weather. When these situations are not appropriately addressed by the employer and employees, they can both directly and indirectly result in very hazardous safety dangers.

  1. Road Accident: The increased risk of car wrecks and traffic accidents during winter work and travel is one of these risks. Researchers discovered that some periods of the winter had a higher frequency of winter-related crashes involving work commutes. When road accidents happen at isolated job locations and the worker is left stranded in their car with little to no access to rescue or communication, they become much more perilous.
  2. Cold stress, hypothermia and exposure: People who operate in cold climates run the danger of developing cold stress, which can lead to a number of accidents and illnesses if left untreated. According to OSHA, workers who spend prolonged amounts of time in cold conditions run the danger of developing cold stress and the associated risks, which include trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia, and chilblains. The startling thing is that frostbite can strike a worker as quickly as 10 minutes, according to experts.
  3. Slips and falls: Naturally, in the winter, damp, slick surfaces can lead to an increase in slips and falls. However, the threat that even a seemingly insignificant fall might pose to an individual is not commonly acknowledged. Even a minor stumble could result in a deadly brain injury or a damaged ankle, depending on the circumstances and the actions performed at the moment.
  4. Malfunctioning and damaged technology/equipment: Communication technology is a major component in any industry. Many gadgets are made to be resistant to the elements and water. Smartphones are among the prevalent technologies that are still in danger. Researchers discovered that operating systems and battery health can be impacted by even brief exposure to extremely low temperatures—as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Mitigation Measures

This is because employers have time to plan winter work practices and implement preventive steps and measures before the temperatures drop.

  • Planning for Winter PPE and Technology: The type of PPE and protective winter clothes people need while working during this winter is incredibly paramount if not legally required. These range from basic needs of warm, waterproof clothing to advanced safety monitoring applications that convey vital check-in messages and information. This PPE and clothing not only has to be purchased and ordered but may need an assessment and evaluation of the needs of equipment and technology the workers may require, which takes more time in advance.
  • Update protocols and policies: If there is not already a separate set of protocols and policies for cold-weather safety hazards, now is the time to update existing protocols to reflect the new hazards that winter presents to workers. However, if the hazards are significant enough, Journey management plans for frequent winter travel may require their safety policy.
  • Design specific emergency kits: Based on the possibility of extreme weather and work accidents, the employer has to plan and build emergency kits according to specific winter work hazards and employees’ needs. These can include emergency kits for work vehicles, specified field sites and offices, employees working from home, and mobile workers.
  • Provide Safety Training: Impart training on specific areas, including snow removal from rooftops and elevated surfaces, for which OSHA provides resources. Other hazards on which valuable training can be provided include winter driving and cold stress awareness.