Winter Worker Safety Tips for Outdoor Workers

A strong workplace safety culture is especially important during the winter months when cold weather is a threat to outdoor workers.

Winter weather can create various hazards that include slippery surfaces and roads, strong winds and frigid temperatures. These conditions can promote an increase in workplace accidents that include hypothermia, frostbite and falls. However, many of those injuries can be prevented with the right preparation and presence of mind.

Prevention techniques are most effective when everyone in the organization makes safety a priority. The following measures can help keep you safe at work during the winter months:

• Keep walkways, stairways and other work areas clear of hazards, such as water on floors and snow on sidewalks.
• For hazardous areas that cannot be addressed immediately, mark them with temporary signs or barricades to warn others.
• If working in a cold climate, wear footwear with heavy treads for increased traction, and make yourself visible to drivers by wearing a bright vest or jacket.
• Recognize the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
• Determine controls to reduce hazards, such as relocating or removing dangerous environmental factors. 
   

Additional Resources:

Read more construction safety and risk management tips here in this month's Toolbox Talk.

• Benefits of a Smoke-Free Workplace 
• Choosing Safety Work Glvoes
• ​Construction Workers at Highest Risk for WMSDs
• OSHA Adopts New Beryllium Standards