Slips, trips, and falls are one of the most frequent causes of workplace injuries. They’re even more common in the winter because of icy and snowy surfaces outdoors and slick floors indoors from snow being tracked in. Slips, trips, and falls can occur at any workplace and can lead to serious injuries including severe bruising, broken bones, and concussions.
Even after clearing parking lots and facility entrances, it’s inevitable that people will be walking into buildings with snow on their shoes and creating slippery surfaces.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has published data showing that a significant amount of time away from work is associated with ice, sleet, and snow-related occupational injuries. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), weather conditions, mainly winter precipitation, are among the most common causes of workplace slips and falls.
Many types of slips, trips, and falls related to winter weather conditions are Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable, even when they occur outside. For instance, if an employee slips on snow and ice on a sidewalk in the company’s parking lot, the incident would be recordable if an injury resulted in any of the following.
- Days away from work
- Restricted duty, job modification, or job transfer
- Medical treatment beyond first aid
- Days away from work
- Restricted duty, job modification, or job transfer
- Medical treatment beyond first aid
In these situations, OSHA considers the company parking lot and sidewalk to be part of the employer’s establishment.
OSHA has also clarified that incidents involving employees who slipped, fell, and suffered an injury while clearing snow from their personal vehicle before leaving the parking lot to drive home from work are OSHA recordable.
In some cases, employers may be held legally liable for the incident. This may occur if the employer was aware of the hazardous condition, and it was not addressed by them in a responsible and appropriate manor.
The following are important considerations to address to prevent winter weather-related slips, trips, and falls.
- Areas of the facility where employees may encounter icy, snowy, and/or wet surfaces
- Materials that will be used to treat interior and exterior walkways
- Slips, trips, or falls that have occurred in the past and lessons learned
OSHA recommends that employers clear walking surfaces of snow and ice, and spread deicer, as quickly as possible after a winter storm. Using targeted “slippery when wet” signage to encourage careful walking in these areas can also be effective. Other suggestions are included below.
- Treat walking surfaces frequently during periods of inclement weather and warn employees about potential hazards
- Address snow piles close to walkways to minimize melting snow, and repair them as needed to avoid uneven surfaces that can collect water and ice
- Designate safe paths of travel to and from the building to discourage the use of more potentially unsafe routes
Employers can also encourage employees to wear proper slip-resistant footwear to minimize the safety risks of icy conditions. This could include water-resistant shoes, boots, or over-shoes with rubber treads. It’s also important that employees know to take short and careful steps on slick surfaces and walk at a slower pace to be able to quickly react to changes in their condition. In addition, the use of handrails can significantly help.
For more information on preventing winter weather-related slips, trips, and falls please contact us. Stay safe this winter season.
This blog was written by Beth Graham, Safety Partners’ Director of Quality, Research, and Training
