Page 14 - Occupational Health & Safety, October 2017

WINTER HAZARDS
Winter is Coming and Bringing Workplace Hazards—Are You Ready?
Add in two backups in case of a widespread disaster. Many companies have an emergency call back, but if there is widespread power or
cell outage due to winter events, what is the backup?
BY LINDA J. SHERRARD
It was a long, brutally hot summer—and the crisp change toward winter is welcomed by many. As the pleasantly dipping temperatures head to the “brrrrr” stage, as Safety, are you preparing your
facility and workers (and management) for the differ- ent hazards associated with the colder weather? Have you planned ahead well?
Cooler temperatures bring along unique hazards, as well as those we see regularly. Slip-and-fall injuries rise dramatically, falls from elevations such as ice- glazed steps can see workers’ compensation costs sky- rocket with one bad storm. Snow removal from roofs
or iced-over vents are certainly non-routine activities. Make a list of such potentials and discuss with your crew; you want the most fit and alert ready for each job before the need. If you anticipate special equip- ment needs, go ahead and set up the contacts now so that everyone knows their role.
■ Awareness. It seems simple, but reminding em- ployees about the season’s changing hazards can help. Include company expectations and how their not showing up impacts the team effort. Make sure those who are “mission critical” know this and fully under- stand their responsibility to come in if possible. Tell them when really hazardous weather events are ex- pected and alter your company work hours if needed. Review your policies and update supervisors on them. Make sure you have a backup list for temps or other contractors if needed for a 24/7 operation.
■ Diversity. If your workforce is multi-cultural and multilingual, make sure to show and tell in addi- tion to printed materials. I have more than once had to explain/show what an ice scraper was used for on iced-over vehicles and how/when to use it for staff hired from tropical or desert countries. You may have to explain in detail over and over cold hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning, using candles/open flames, not to use space heaters, grills used inside, how to walk on ice-slick sidewalks if you can’t get them cleared, etc. Handouts with pictures often help, too. In this case, safety is extended to homes because you need your workforce safe and back at work.
■ Consider your workforce and what you produce. If the power is out, can you work? Is your primary workforce local? Or are they mostly young parents with children who will be out of school, requiring their care? Think back . . . what was the absenteeism rate for the last snow or ice storm? In some parts of the coun- try, 4 inches of snow is not even a pause to everyday life; for others, though, it is a catastrophic event that closes everything for days because of downed power lines. Many cannot drive in such situations and will not venture out until it is clear. How do they dress? In high-heeled dress boots which are often made with slippery leather soles? Or do you have a more fragile workforce with an elderly population that are fearful to venture out. Each group has special needs you have to address.
■ Timing for cold weather activities is important, too. I have worked in two places where the mainte- nance staff distributed sand/ice melt by 9 a.m. each
14 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2017
www.ohsonline.com
Scharfsinn/Shutterstock.com