Last winter, I wrote a blog post entitled, “Why Are There No Regulations Around Ice Cleats?” It turned out to be one of my most popular blog entries, so I figured it was time to revisit the topic.
In the original post, I wrote that the main reason for a lack of industry standards or regulations around ice cleats is the number of variables in recreating an outdoor slippery surface. But I don’t think that my post was popular because people wanted to hear why these regulations don’t exist. Instead, what safety professionals really want to know is what can they do in light of the lack of regulations for ice safety solutions?
Trying to operate in a “safe” culture without the existence of standards is more than just tricky or difficult, it can be downright maddening at best and utterly unsafe at worst. This does not mean that every safety professional needs to become an expert in ice footwear, but it does mean that every safety professional MUST admit that not all ice cleats and traction aids are created equal, and then use this acknowledgement as the backbone of their decision making.
The lack of industry standards or guidelines around ice cleats makes the marketplace much more confusing. It also increases the risk of purchasing a lesser product rather than a helpful solution. But don’t let the lack of regulation hold you up; just be aware of it during your due diligence process.
Our product management team members here at Winter Walking are experts in ice cleats, so please feel free to lean on us. And don’t let the lack of industry standards slow you down. Instead, let us help you understand traction aids and guide you through the marketplace, so you can create your own regulations when picking the right ice footwear.
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Jordan Bell is the Executive Vice President for Winter Walking. He has been helping organizations across a wide variety of business sectors prevent workplace slips and falls in ice and snow for over 12 years. Winter Walking currently helps some of the world’s largest organizations keep their employees both safer and more productive while working outdoors in the winter season. Contact jordan@winterwalking.com or visit www.winterwalking.com.
