Safety in Cold Weather

Managing Workers’ Compensation Claims and Ensuring Workplace Safety

In many parts of the United States, winter weather means an increase in workers’ compensation claims. Blizzards, winter storms, snow, sleet, ice and freezing temperatures can lead to various occupational and workplace injuries and illnesses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 20,460 occupational injuries related to snow, ice and sleet in 2017, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

While winter weather hazards can affect any worker, those who work outdoors are most at risk. They include construction workers, first responders, recreation workers and utility workers.

Most common winter workers’ compensation claims

Many of the common winter workers’ compensation claims fall into one of these categories:

  1. Slips, trips and falls: These incidents are a leading cause of death for workers, according to the National Safety Council. The likelihood of these injuries increases when there is ice or snow on the ground. Some common hazards associated with workplace slips and falls include snow and ice on parking lots, stairs, walkways, floors, roadways and sidewalks.
  2. Cold-stress injuries: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), cold stress occurs when a person’s skin temperature is driven down and their internal body temperature drops too low. Serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur when the body is unable to warm itself. Some can even be permanent or fatal. Cold temperatures, high winds, dampness and cold water all contribute to cold stress. Common cold-stress illnesses and injuries include trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia.
  3. Winter driving: Winter weather can cause hazardous driving conditions. This can increase in workers’ compensation claims related to auto and vehicle accidents.
  4. Snow shoveling and snow removal: Injuries and illnesses include strains and sprains, harm from using equipment, dehydration and even heart attacks, according to OSHA.

Winter workplace injuries don’t just have detrimental effects on the health and safety of employees. They can also increase workers’ compensation claims and costs, increase general liability insurance costs, increase employee absences due to work injuries and lower productivity.

Prevention strategies are key

Fortunately, employers can implement risk management and safety strategies to minimize risk and prevent injuries from snow, ice, storms and other winter weather hazards. These solutions and prevention tools include employee communication and education, safety campaigns, and plans and procedures to be followed during cold weather, snows and storms.

Here are some tips to develop a complete winter workplace safety strategy:

Communication and education
  • Implement a winter weather communications strategy to advise employees of hazardous weather events.
  • Create a winter weather safety manual and distribute it to all workers.
  • Educate employees on the risks of slips and falls during winter.
  • Consider creating winter storm contingency plans to minimize travel in hazardous conditions. One option is remote work.
  • Make sure outdoor workers know how to recognize the signs of cold stress.
Safe snow and ice removal
  • Hire a snow removal company to clear parking lots, sidewalks, stairs and walkways.
  • Use safe ice and snow melting techniques.
  • Be aware of the hazards of shoveling snow.
Safety campaigns
  • Develop a winter safety awareness campaign to communicate procedures and plans.
  • Use highly visible signage such as caution and warning signs in hazardous areas, indoors and outdoors.
  • Promote safe operations of all winter equipment, including plows and snowblowers.
Winter weather safety gear and clothing
  • Make sure outdoor employees wear appropriate clothing and other protective equipment during cold weather.
  • Be aware of OSHA requirements for providing personal protective equipment for workers. Protective winter gear may fall into this category.
Equipment and vehicles
  • Ensure that workplace vehicles and heavy equipment are inspected and properly working for winter weather conditions.
  • Equip vehicles with emergency safety and weather kits.
  • Make sure drivers are properly trained to operate vehicles in winter weather conditions.

Remember that the common cold, influenza and other communicable illnesses associated with the winter are not covered under workers’ compensation. Train your employees to practice excellent hygiene during winter to avoid lost work time due to preventable communicable disease. Vaccinations are also important. You may wish to provide flu shots on site.

Your human resources department or safety manager can consult with various resources to create and implement winter safety plans and programs. These may include the National Safety Council, OSHA or your insurance provider. By taking a proactive approach to winter safety and risk management, you can protect your workers and create a safe work environment regardless of the weather.

Contact Us

To learn more about unique public sector risks and how to address them, contact our OneGroup Municipality team.

Matt Maguire, Regional President, North Country at [email protected].

Todd Goodman, Risk Management Consultant at [email protected].

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

Written content in blog post: Copyright © 2023 Applied Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.