All posts by Bill Coyne

I’ve found that there are two ways people tend to look at ice cleats. Ice cleats are a last resort. Ice cleats are part of the workplace safety gear solution. Let me ask you a question: Why are your employees using the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) they have today? Chances are, your company has a lot of PPE that are mandatory, not voluntary, as a condition of employment. What about safety glasses, hard hats, steel-toe boots, high-visibility clothing, fire-retardant apparel? You get my point. These items are mandatory at most workplaces, including yours. Why? Because your employees experi[…]

The Winter of 2017 - 2018 in the Northeast US was definitely one for the record books. With record breaking cold temperatures, frequent and massive snow falls, ice storms and the resulting school cancellations it seemed like it would never end. Although it still doesn't feel like it, according to the calendar, Spring has finally and officially arrived! Before you completely put this winter behind you I have a question for you. This question has the ability to help you get better employee buy-in when trying to prevent winter slip and falls in ice and snow.

In recent years, the ice cleat and winter traction aid market has expanded a great deal. In fact, you might say it’s overwhelming. If you don’t want to spend the next 15 years of your life doing all the research necessary on how to prevent winter slip and fall incidents, the good news is, I’ve done that research for you. And now, I’d like to share some tips to help you simplify the options you have available in the marketplace. So, what are the two most important types of traction aids:

Customers have so many choices when it comes to ice cleats and traction aids to prevent winter slips and falls. Sometimes these devices look similar. And sometimes they look radically different. But most of them have at least one very important thing in common: By far, the safest winter traction aids on the market are devices that offer traction in both the heel and toe of the device. As you walk, your heel hits the ground first, so additional ice and snow boot traction aids are needed. Following that, your foot rolls forward and your toe hits the ground. Without traction in both the heel and […]

This time of year, winter weather really isn’t a surprise, is it? So, imagine after reading about a winter storm approaching, you decide to check your ice cleat inventory, only to realize you’re low on stock – or worse, completely out! Now, the panic starts to set in, “Oh man, I wish I had done something about this a few weeks ago.” If those ice cleats don’t arrive before the storm hits, it’s not good news for your employees’ health and safety, your safety record or the company’s bottom line.

Now, some safety professionals hear the word “winter” and, all of the sudden, the mood in the room changes. Because they know their job has become even tougher. The challenge? Trying to find the easiest and safest ways to protect their employees who work in the ice and snow. So I’d like to ask you a few questions: 1) Are you tired of searching online, trying to guess which ice cleat or traction aid will be best? 2) Are you tired of buying a recommended traction aid, only to realize that your people HATE wearing them? If this all sounds familiar, ask yourself: 3) What do I need and want from a […]