Working Safely in the Snow and Ice

Source excerpt

# Elderly School Employee Injured in Parking Lot Fall Due to Black Ice An 81-year-old female employee slipped on black ice and fell, hitting her head on the asphalt in the parking lot of the elementary school at which she worked. According to information gathered, the victim arrived at school and parked in the front visitors lot. After exiting her vehicle and as she reached the rear of her car, she slipped on black ice that had formed and hit her head on the asphalt. Shortly after, a bus driver noticed the victim lying on the ground. As the driver ran to assist the victim, she got the attention of other drivers to also help. One of the drivers went into the school to call for emergency personnel. It was determined the school system had procedures in place for snow and ice removal as each school would have its maintenance personnel inspect the parking lot, driveway, and sidewalks before school started, as they would normally be the first at the schools each day. This was on display earlier in the week as the area experienced a snow event on 1/18/22 and schools were closed, but the maintenance personnel worked to clear the snow and throw salt on the sidewalks and parking lots. The schools were in session on 1/19/22. During the evening on 1/19/22, the area had rain move into the area along with a cold front, so the Director of Schools and the Transportation Supervisor drove the roads in the early morning hours of 1/20/22 to ensure the buses could travel the roads. continues on page 6 FEBRUARY 2024 5

Source excerpt

# TOGETHER WITH TOSHA newsletter (cont.) # Winter Workplace Safety: Preventing Slips on Snow and Ice As winter descends upon us, it brings with it the beauty of snow- covered landscapes. However, it also presents challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety of our employees in the workplace. One of the most common hazards during this season is the increased risk of slips and falls on snow and ice. To create a safer work environment, it's crucial for all of us to be aware of the potential dangers and take proactive measures to prevent accidents. To prevent slips, trips, and falls, employers should clear walking surfaces of snow and ice and should spread deicer as quickly as possible after a winter storm. In addition, the following precautions will help reduce the likelihood of injuries: • Wear proper footwear when walking on snow or ice. A pair of insulated and water-resistant boots with good rubber treads is a must for walking during or after a winter storm. Keeping a pair of rubber over-shoes with good treads that fit over your street shoes is a good idea during the winter months. • Take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react quickly to a change in traction when walking on an icy or snow- covered walkway. . If your workplace has stairs or ramps, make sure they are equipped with sturdy handrails and grips. This provides additional support for employees navigating slippery surfaces. • Place non-slip mats in key areas where moisture is likely to be tracked inside. These mats can absorb water and provide traction, reducing the chances of slips. • • Conduct regular inspections of outdoor areas to identify and address potential hazards promptly. Prompt action can prevent accidents and ensure a safer working environment. • Encourage employees to communicate any unsafe conditions they come across. Establish a reporting system that allows for quick response to address any emerging issues related to snow and ice. Remember, safety …

Source excerpt

# Elderly School Employee Injured in Parking Lot Fall Due to Black Ice continued from page 5 While turning around in the Summertown Elementary parking lot at about 4:15 a.m. the Director of Schools noticed a wet spot in the driveway, close to the school's front door. He drove to the area and got out of his car and tested the area and found it to be moving water that had not frozen. He then returned to his car and drove off and schools were open as normal. About three hours later, the victim arrived at the school. The maintenance person assigned to this school was out sick and no one else checked the sidewalk and parking area for black ice. It was determined that the Lawrence County School System did not ensure that the walking/working surface was free of slip hazards by spreading salt on areas where there was ice. It did not have procedures in place for a backup person to remove snow and ice if the designated employee was not at work. A citation was issued for 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(3). On 1/20/22, an employee, upon arriving to work, slipped and fell on ice that had formed on parts of the driveway and parking area of the school. O # Electronic Reporting Last year, Federal OSHA announced a change to its electronic reporting requirements. You may read the press release here. Tennessee OSHA, a state plan, has not completed the process to adopt these changes. When this is completed, TOSHA will post the effective dates on our website, publish them in a future version of this newsletter, and notify the public via social media. O ## Final Rule will Help Contractors Final rule will help employers distinguish between Employees and Independent Contractors. The U.S. Department of Labor published a rule to address how to analyze whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Independent contractors in business for themselves play an important role in our economy - and this rule won't change that. What it will do is ensure em…

Source excerpt

Kiprc KENTUCKY INJURY PREVENTION AND RESEARCH CENTER # HAZARD ALERT Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance-February 2023 WORKING IN WINTER WEATHER ## WINTER WEATHER- RELATED HAZARDS Slips and falls Hazardous road conditions Snow shoveling Powered equipment like snow blowers Working with or near downed or damaged power lines Removing downed trees Cold stress Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ## What is the hazard? Winter weather presents a number of hazards. From 2018-2021, 2,325 Kentucky workers experienced various types of winter-weather related injuries. Slips or falls were the most common, accounting for 95% of the winter weather-related occupational injuries, followed by motor vehicle collisions (2%), overexertion during snow/ice removal (2%), and other (1%).1 2,3,4 Recommendations for preventing winter weather-related injuries: • Employers should clear walkways of snow and ice, and spread deicer after a winter storm. Wearing proper footwear, such as insulated boots with rubber treads and taking short steps at a slow pace will help to prevent slips and falls. • Ensure workers are trained for driving in winter weather conditions and licensed for the vehicles they operate. Implement a regular maintenance program for all vehicles. Keep well-stocked emergency kits in all vehicles. • Strenuous activities like shoveling snow can lead to dehydration, injuries, and heart attacks. Workers should warm up before starting snow removal. When possible, push snow instead of lifting it. Lift small amounts at a time and use proper lift techniques: keep the back straight, lift with the legs, and avoid twisting the body. - Add fuel before starting a snow blower-never while the engine is running. Keep your hands away from moving parts of the machine and never try to clear a jam by hand. To clear a jam, stop the engine and wait 5 seconds. Then use a solid object to clear debris. • Extra caution should be taken when repairing/replacing damaged power lin…