You may be surprised to learn that companies – no matter the size – approach the problem of winter slips and falls on snow and ice is practically the same manner. There is one big difference though: Large companies don’t just “set it and forget it” when it comes to safety. They learn and evolve. Smaller companies, however, may implement a slips, trips and falls safety policy or program, and then divert their attention once it’s up and running. And that can be a costly mistake.

Winter slips and falls on snow and ice can be a major concern for companies of all sizes. While large companies tend to prioritize safety and continually learn and evolve their policies, smaller companies may implement a safety program and then shift their focus elsewhere. However, this can be a costly mistake. I once had a conversation with a senior executive who experienced several high-cost incidents at his company due to slips and falls on snow and ice during a winter storm. Upon investigating the accidents, it became clear that the employees who slipped and fell were not wearing ice cleat[…]

The process of buying ice cleats is a lot like the search for any new product. Sometimes it’s smooth sailing, and other times you run into frustration and confusion, and end up spending a lot more time than you’d like to find the ice cleats you need. And it’s a situation where you need to take your time to make sure you’ve found the best and safest traction solution for your employees working outdoors in cold, slippery conditions. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the questions you should ask yourself when shopping for ice cleats to take some of the stress out of the process and keep yo[…]

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 priorit[…]

It may seem odd that there are no standards for ice cleats and traction aids, especially when there are regulations for other types of PPE. However, the reason for this is that creating anti-slip regulations for ice and snow is extremely challenging. There are simply too many variables to consider when it comes to creating traction on these surfaces. For example, not all icy or snowy surfaces are the same, and there are different types of fall risk factors to consider, such as pure ice, intermittent ice, black ice, snow on top of ice, ice on top of snow, inclines, and declines. All of these fa[…]

Are ice cleats safe to wear indoors? In most cases, the answer would be no. Traditional ice cleats are designed for a sole purpose: preventing slip and fall incidents on icy surfaces. Picture an airport in the middle of January, someplace like Chicago that experiences brutal winters. The employees who work outdoors need footwear that will keep them slipping when they walk, so they put on a pair of ice cleats, allowing them to walk safely over slick surfaces. Once they get inside, it’s a whole different story. Read on to learn why most ice cleats are not meant for indoor wear, and to find out m[…]