Winter Weather is Upon Us

The cold temperatures and icy conditions that are often a part of Canadian winters can cause hazards at the workplace. These hazards include:


  • Winter Driving—Driving accidents increase at a chilling pace in winter. Seasonal weather (snow, ice, sleet, and freezing rain) poses a significant challenge to safety on the road. Reduced visibility and more time driving in the dark also contributes to the risk of a facing a collision.


  • Cold Stress—Exposure to the cold can lead to frostbite and hypothermia.


  • Slips and falls—Ice, snow, slush, wet surfaces, and mud (during a thaw) can cause slips and falls. Even at home, you can be at a risk of slips, trips and falls, when hanging seasonal decor like Christmas lights. A slip on the ground can cost you weeks off work. A slip at height can cost you your life.


  • Carbon monoxide (CO)—Fuel-fired heaters can release CO gas. CO is a clear, colourless gas that you can’t smell or taste. It interferes with your body’s ability to use oxygen. Even in small doses, it can kill you.


 

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers, owners, constructors, and supervisors are legally required to protect the health and safety of workers, which includes protecting them from winter hazards.


Please take a moment and re-establish a commitment to ensure workers are protected against winter hazards. We suggest you deliver a safety talk as a reminder to workplace parties of the hazards, and more importantly, re-establish safe work practices and procedures.


Additionally, we encourage you to visit IHSA's Winter Hazards topic page to access many FREE resources regarding this topic.


Tips for Winter Hazards


PREVENT COLD-RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS

  • Wear several thin layers of clothing instead of one thick layer.
  • Wear synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene next to the skin because it wicks away sweat.


PREVENT SLIPS AND FALLS

  • Clean the ice and snow off the soles of your boots, off the rungs of ladders, and from access areas and work platforms.
  • Use sand, salt, or other de-icing material. (Ice often forms on the underside of platform materials, so don’t just turn them over.)


PREVENT EXPOSURE TO CO GAS

  • When heating an enclosed space, use an indirect-fired heater.
  • Check propane vehicle-cab heaters for leaks and proper venting.


PREPARE FOR WINTER DRIVING

  • Map your route in advance, noting places where you can stop safely to wait out bad weather.
  • On the day of the trip, check the weather forecast for your destination and any areas you’ll be driving through.
  • Use the Ontario 511 app to view road conditions, locations of snowplows, and more.



Check out IHSA's resources on Winter hazards:

Download Safety Talk On Cold Stress 
Download Safety Talk on Carbon Monoxide 
Download Safety Talk on Heaters
Review Winter Driving Resources
Watch Winter Driving Safety Series

Other Resources:


Tips for Holiday Safety - Government of Canada

Don't fall for Christmas Lights - US News Health Article

Winter Safety Tips - National Safety Council

Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season - National Safety Council

Sincerely,

Jennifer McKenzie

Director, Stakeholder & Client Engagement

IHSA

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