Stay Warm: Winter Workplace Safety Tips

As winter weather starts to slowly creep in and you feel that chill up your spine, you know it’s time to make some changes to your team’s safety measures. Snow can seem like a welcomed relief after the scorching heat of summer, but with the weather change comes some workplace hazards that you need to do your best to protect your employees from.

Use this post as a reminder of the workplace safety tips designed to keep your employees safe during this most dangerous time of year.

Some of the most common, and potentially dangerous workplace injuries that hit a peak during the winter include:

• Slips and Falls – Not surprisingly, slips, trips and falls increase during the winter. Ice, snow and wet conditions are hazardous to outdoor workers and drastically increase the risk for employees.
• Hypothermia – The consequence of long hours spent outside without proper protection, hypothermia can happen quickly. If any of your employees are exposed to freezing temperatures and experience shivering or shaking, confusion or slurred speech, these could be signs of hypothermia and should be taken seriously.
• Frostbite – When body parts are subjected to freezing temperatures for hours on end, frostbite can easily occur. If any of your employees experience numbness, blisters, swelling or joint stiffness, these are signs of frostbite and should be treated.
• Vehicular Accidents – Working outdoors in the winter has many risks. The prominence of winter storms, black ice, and wet conditions can increase the number of accidents on the road.

Working safely, efficiently and smartly is a priority all year long, but becomes especially important during the winter months. Below are a few important workplace safety tips to help you keep your team safe all season long.

Winter Safety Sweatshirts and Apparel

One of the best ways you can help your employees prevent issues during the winter months is to help them dress for success. The right safety sweatshirts and apparel can keep them protected from the elements and ensure they stay highly visible even during the most adverse weather conditions. Waterproof bomber jackets, rain suits, and waterproof bibs can keep your employees dry, warm and highly visible. Consider also investing in fluorescent or brightly colored sweatshirts and hoodies. Class 3 two-tone pullover sweatshirts combine a hi vis material with a warm option for cooler weather.

Our Top 5 Workplace Safety Tips in the Winter

Some accidents aren’t preventable but in order to feel confident you’ve done everything within your power to keep your employees safe means taking every possible precaution.

Keep your team injury-free with these winter tips:

1. Employee Education – Take time to educate your employees on the increased workplace risks during winter and how to prevent them.
2. Wear Proper Footwear – The best way to prevent slips and falls is with the proper footwear. Find options with strong grip and insulation.
3. Adopt Winter Hours – During winter, the days are shorter and it’s darker earlier. Consider adjusting work hours to maximize daylight and consider cutting hours on days temperatures drop below freezing.
4. Improve Communication – Make sure no one on your team is isolated for long periods of time, be sure to ask if anyone needs a break and continue to remind employees of best practices for winter safety.
5. Dress in Layers – Remember, when dressing for winter weather, layers are the best bet. If you dress too warm you risk overheating or sweating and causing a layer of moisture that could lead to potential issues. Dress in layers that provide insulation, but can be removed in the event of overheating.

Managing your employees is never easy, but the winter provides unique challenges that can be very stressful. Maintain open lines of communication, keep your employees educated and invest in the right safety apparel to improve working conditions all year long.