Snowflakes and holiday lights aren’t the only things making an appearance this winter. Icy sidewalks, freezing temperatures, and sneaky colds are just as common—and far less welcome.
The onset of winter brings with it celebrations and festivities — but also potentially hazardous conditions both on the roads and in the workplace. It’s important to be aware of these hazards and prepare accordingly so you and your staff can perform at their best throughout the coming season.
As you prepare your workplace for colder weather, consider how you can make the winter months easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone on your team. By putting individuals’ health and safety first, you’ll be able to create a more positive and productive working environment, no matter how frightful the weather may be.
Here are eight ways to keep yourself and your staff safe and healthy during the winter months.
1. Secure the Workplace
Be proactive about inspecting and securing your workplace long before hazardous weather arrives. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to fix minor problems before ice and snow make them even worse.
- Check that carbon monoxide monitors function properly.
- Note areas with poor ventilation, and take measures to improve the airflow.
- Educate staff on safe usage of space heaters.
- Keep walkways well-lit and clear of ice and snow.
- Survey the building for structural vulnerabilities, and reinforce those areas in case of storms or snow accumulation.
- If you are unable to address hazards immediately, post clear signage to warn employees.
Remember, prevention is always the best treatment. By taking precautions to protect your workers’ health and safety before the winter weather hits, you’ll give everyone a much better chance of avoiding emergencies and accidents all winter long.
2. Create & Communicate Emergency Response Plans
Emergency response plans give staff specific steps to follow in an emergency, saving precious time in situations where every second counts. While such plans are important year-round, it’s a good idea to create a dedicated plan for winter emergencies such as blizzards, ice storms, or loss of heat and power.
What to include in your organization’s winter emergency response plan will largely depend on your location, structure, and the type of work you do. Dispersed teams that spend much of their workdays on the road, for example, will likely need to take different precautions than those that work remotely or in an office.
Start by identifying what types of emergencies your team members are most likely to face, and then create a detailed plan for how to deal with those emergencies. Be as clear and concise as possible, and ensure that every team member knows what’s expected of them should an emergency occur.
3. Prevent the Spread of Illness
According to the CDC, “respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths” every fall and winter. To decrease the risk of infection for yourself and your colleagues, take preventive measures such as:
- Frequent hand-washing
- Staying up-to-date on immunizations
- Practicing good hygiene
- Improving air quality
If you contract a respiratory virus, take steps to keep from spreading it to others at your workplace. If you’re unable to stay at home, consider wearing a face mask and keeping your distance from others, especially those who may be at higher risk of respiratory health issues.
4. Know Symptoms of Cold Stress
Another winter health risk is cold stress, a broad term for a number of cold-related illnesses and injuries, including hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. People who work outdoors are most at risk of cold stress, but anyone who is exposed to cold temperatures can experience it.
Train your workers to recognize the signs of cold stress and the environmental factors that contribute to it. Ensure that outdoor workers have sufficiently warm, dry clothing and take frequent breaks to warm up.
Monitor weather conditions to send workers out during the warmest parts of the day. Also monitor each worker’s condition throughout the workday, so you can catch symptoms of cold stress early and provide first aid if necessary.
5. Promote Healthy Habits
Another way to protect your workers’ health during winter is to make extra effort to promote healthy habits like hydration and healthy eating that will help boost immune systems and energy levels.
Consider holding organization-wide contests or challenges to incentivize healthy choices, or have HR send reminders and resources that guide employees in taking extra care of their health during the winter. If your workplace provides free snacks for employees, include plenty of healthy options alongside the holiday treats.
Don’t be afraid to ask your team for suggestions. They know best what tactics will be most helpful to them, and involving them in the planning process is a great way to motivate them to participate.
6. Avoid Ice-Related Accidents
One of winter’s biggest physical hazards is ice, both on walkways and on the road. Be aware of the weather as you commute and walk into work, and take measures to prevent ice-related accidents for yourself and your staff.
Dealing With Ice on the Road
Driving in winter can be extremely dangerous, even for experienced drivers. If possible, consider allowing your employees to work from home when icy roads are likely. If your team must be on the road, check that they have proper gear and know how to drive safely in snow and ice.
When commuting, leave early and drive slowly, giving other cars plenty of extra space. Plan ahead for longer driving times, both for yourself and your team, and monitor the weather well in advance so you’ll know as soon as possible whether it’s unsafe for you and others to drive.
Dealing With Ice on Foot
Ice and snow can be just as dangerous when you’re walking as it is when you’re driving. Even the most sure-footed people are just one slip and fall away from a trip to the emergency room. When walking in icy conditions, step carefully and slowly. Avoid walking with your hands in your pockets so you can easily catch yourself if you slip.
At the workplace, keep walkways clear of ice and snow. Monitor them for buildup throughout the day, especially in areas that are shaded from direct sunlight.
7. Adapt Workflows as Needed
Sometimes, keeping yourself and your staff safe in winter means adapting your usual workflows. While this can slow down productivity for the day, it saves time, money, and — most importantly — your workers’ health and potentially their lives in the long run.
For example, when temperatures drop, limit the time your staff spend outdoors. Or, if your area is prone to dangerous driving conditions in winter, consider offering extra accommodations for those who have difficulty commuting.
Remember, your workers’ health and safety is your top priority. The more precautions you take to protect them — even if it means changing your workflows to account for winter weather — the more capable and motivated they will be to continue putting in their best effort.
8. Care for Mental Health
Physical health and safety aren’t the only things that need extra attention during winter. Lack of sunlight and colder weather can and often does have a negative impact on people’s mental health.
So as you create and implement plans for winter health and safety at your workplace, be sure to include plans to care for mental health, as well. Offer your staff information and resources on dealing with seasonal depression and practicing self-care in winter, and don’t forget to make use of those resources yourself.
By prioritizing mental health care alongside physical health and safety measures, you can help reduce the stigma around seeking help for mental health issues and set your team up for a safer, healthier winter, overall.
Put Health & Safety First
Winter often requires a little extra attention to health and safety, both in the workplace and on the road. The best way to avoid accidents, illness, and other winter hazards is to be prepared, stay alert, and have an emergency plan in place before harsh weather arrives.
As a precaution and to promote a culture of safety-consciousness, encourage all of your staff to get CPR certified. Even if staff members aren’t required to be certified, knowing how to respond to an emergency can make all the difference for a fallen coworker. Your staff can get trained in CPR for free with ProTrainings — they only pay if they need a certification card!
By prioritizing health and safety for yourself and your staff this winter, you can help keep everyone operating at their very best.
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