Who doesn't love winter? With the snow falling gently from the sky, it transforms the world into a picturesque wonderland. It's a time when families come together, hot cocoa is sipped by the fireplace, and memories are made. However, not everyone shares the same sentiment when it comes to winter. For safety professionals, the arrival of winter brings with it a sense of apprehension and concern.
As the temperature drops and the ground becomes covered in a blanket of snow and ice, slips and falls become a common occurrence. This is especially worrisome for safety professionals whose main priority is the well-being of their employees. They understand that the risks associated with winter weather can pose significant challenges and they must find ways to protect their workers in these conditions.
As soon as the word "winter" is mentioned, the atmosphere in the room changes for safety professionals. They know that their job is about to become even more challenging as they prepare for the seasonal weather-related headaches that come with it. Their main concern is finding the easiest and safest ways to protect their employees who have to work in icy and snowy conditions.
Let me ask you a few questions:
- Are you tired of endlessly searching online, trying to figure out which ice cleat or traction aid is the best option?
- Are you frustrated with buying recommended traction aids, only to discover that your employees absolutely hate wearing them?
If any of this sounds familiar, then consider this:
What do you really need and want from a traction aid, apart from just better traction on ice and snow?
Knowing the answer to this last question will save you time, frustration, and money. Take some time to think in advance about your criteria and wish list for traction aids, and you'll have a better chance of success compared to previous years.
Here's something else to keep in mind:
If you have employees who walk on different outdoor surfaces (and maybe even indoors), the last thing they want is an ice cleat that needs to be constantly removed. Traditional ice cleats and boot spikes can actually become slip hazards on hard surfaces like steel, tile, or concrete. Instead, look for ice cleats and snow grips for shoes that are safe to wear both indoors and outdoors.
However, if your employees are mainly outdoors for extended periods of time and don't have to worry about different walking surfaces, then you can focus on traditional ice cleats and boot spikes that are easy to put on and take off, lightweight, and provide plenty of aggressive traction.
So ask yourself the right questions and consider your indoor versus outdoor needs. By doing so, you can eliminate those headaches and prevent winter slips and falls.
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Bill Coyne is the VP of Sales for Winter Walking. He has been helping organizations across a wide variety of business sectors eliminate workplace slips and falls incidents in ice and snow for over 20 years. Email Bill bill@winterwalking.com or visit www.winterwalking.com for additional helpful information and resources.
