Weather Conditions: Ice and Snow
Ice and snow can cause employees and visitors to slip and fall.
A plastic bin can be used to hold ice-melt chemicals.
Where Does the Hazard Occur?
- Entrances
- Parking garages and lots
- Walkways
- Outside stairs
Prevention Strategies
- Have an aggressive program to promptly remove ice and snow from parking lots, garages, and sidewalks.
- Distribute winter weather warnings via email to staff when ice and snow are predicted. For staff who do not have access to email, provide notices on bulletin boards.
- Place freezing weather warning monitors at entrances to employee parking areas.
- Display the phone or pager number for the maintenance department via posters and emails to encourage employees to report icy conditions.
- Place labeled bins filled with ice melting chemicals and scoops that anyone can use immediately on icy patches. Consider placing bins in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic such as the top and bottom of outdoor stairways, parking garage exits and entrances, and healthcare facility entrances. The bins should be labeled with the appropriate Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and include instructions for handling ice melting chemicals. Bins should be secured so they cannot be removed.
- Provide additional mats in entrances during winter months and when it rains.
- Consider slip-resistant footwear (including ice cleats) for employees who work or travel outdoors as part of their jobs.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-8. When should additional mats be used to prevent slips, trips, and falls?
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