Page 22 - OHS, October 2020

FACILITY SAFETY
where you are finding the most ice or snow. Plan to remove these barriers to the entry in a timely and safe manner. Always have ice melt, salt and shovels on hand for quick clean-ups. It is also wise to install anti-slip treads in these areas to make surfaces less slick and provide more traction. When considering your overall safety plan, it may be a worthwhile investment to install additional handrails, external matting, and even awnings to protect guests from the elements and help them make their way indoors more safely.
Beyond front entrances and side doors, loading docks should also be looked at closely, especially if they are exposed to the outside elements. As people and carts parade through these areas often, hazards from the outside can make their way in. Special attention should be paid to loading and unloading areas to ensure employee safety. Look to see if the stone or concrete around and on the loading dock is cracked or chipped in a way that could pose a tripping hazard. If there are any immediate uneven areas, clearly mark them with signage, yellow paint, or yellow tape. If fixing or replacing isn’t an option in the colder winter months, these areas should be addressed once spring hits. For high-traffic areas, consider adding new and replacing old, worn-out anti-slip matting. Finally, don’t forget about the staircases. They should be visible and lined with anti-slip treads especially as heavy loads may be carried up and down them often. Consider adding signage or reflective tape to mark any hard to see surfaces to help mitigate falls.
Your job is complex. It takes balancing proactive measures while also yielding a comprehensive understanding of the tools that will make maintaining the safety of your facility possible. Safety is always a top priority, so you must look to not only monitor your facilities seasonally, but also promote, protect, and mitigate risk for employees and guests throughout the year.
As winter is approaching and you are gearing up for 2021, it is a prime time to consider proven risk mitigation tactics as part of a yearly safety strategy. With fall injuries costing U.S. employers $70 billion a year, your safety strategy has to be something that is considered often.2 To stay proactive, we recommend completing a safety walk around your facility weekly, paying attention to any immediate changes, shifts in the seasons, and any stray objects, messes, or spills that may have appeared. With diligence and the right tools in place, your efforts can make your facility safer for all who enter.
Lino Patino is the floor safety global marketing manager for 3M’s Commercial Solutions division. Patino started his nearly three- decade-long career with 3M in his hometown, Lima, Peru.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.nsc.org/home
2. https://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/
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18 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2020
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