If you’re a safety professional, that word is OSHA. (Yes, technically, it’s an acronym, but stick with me here.) According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), “Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.” In fact, OSHA regulations state their point pretty clearly: “Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow al[…]

As a safety professional, I have a crucial question for you: What is your biggest safety sin or workplace hazard? Before I reveal mine, let me provide some context. Winter Walking is the largest manufacturer of ice cleats in North America. We take immense pride in helping hundreds of companies and thousands of employees reduce the risk of slip and fall injuries while on the job. But imagine the embarrassment and devastation if I were to personally experience a slip and fall injury on ice or snow. That would undoubtedly be my biggest work-related sin.

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.