Winter is upon us and tis’ the season for slick roads, wet floors, and miserably cold weather. Safety needs to be the top priority for workplaces affected by snow and sleet. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are out and about this winter, whether it be in the workplace or on your time off.
For starters, slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common injuries that happen in the workplace. And in the winter season, these incidents happen more frequently than ever. According to BLS, in 2016, “20,520 workplace slip & falls involving ice, sleet, or snow required at least one day away from work, not including the falls from heights or through surfaces.” These incidents happen very frequently. However, that doesn’t mean they should not be taken seriously. Injuries that can follow a slip, trip, or fall are;
Now in some cases, these accidents can, unfortunately, lead to a fatality. In 2018, 744 died due to these incidents (NSC). There are endless effects these three hazards have on workers’ lives, physically and non-physically, but how can these hazards be avoided in the winter season?
Now, the next most common incident in the winter season is vehicle collisions. The Federal Highway Administration state, “Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 injuries due to snowy, slushy, and ice pavement every year. And near 900 people are killed and 76,000 are injured during snowfall or sleet.” (FHWA). Here are some tips to lower the chance of a vehicle collision:
Finally, hypothermia and frostbite are crazy important during the winter season. The CDC found too much cold has a worse effect on life than the heat has had. “In 2015, 800+ people died because of hypothermia, while less than 400 people died from hyperthermia” (WP). Now the ways to avoid hypothermia.
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Congratulations to J.L. Broussard for being selected as November Safety Employee of the Month. We thank JL for always putting safety first and completing safety modules.
Why is safety important to you?
JL: Safety is of the utmost importance in our industry. It warrants a very conscious effort to adhere to standards set up to ensure a safe work environment. These efforts must be practiced daily to ensure the safety of everyone on site.
Why is reporting Near Misses important?
JL: Reporting near miss is important because it helps raise awareness of situations, that others may not see, and helps prevent accidents before they occur. Also reporting can also help promote a positive safety culture as well.
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered up with Boot Barn to offer all Applied Consultants inspectors a 15% discount on all purchases “work-related” from Boot Barn, Nation Wide. Be sure to tell them you work for Applied Consultants and use the keyword: “Safety First” to receive the discount.