Winter Safety on Campus
What Does Ohio State Do to Make Your Workplace Safe?
Much hard work and planning has been going on all around campus to prepare for the approaching winter weather—trucks are being checked for operation, plows are being connected, repairs are in the works where needed, brine is being stored, salt spreaders are being connected and calibrated, salt bins are stocked, and now the weather monitoring begins. Ohio State has a structured snow- and ice-clearing program that ensures that all parking areas, walkways, and entrances are well maintained and kept clear. Crews are assigned to trucks and sections of campus to maintain. Clear guidelines are established outlining responsibilities for snow clearing and salting, as well as incident reporting and emergency response.
According to Associate Director Ross McClain, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) provides winter safety tips through its training program and through published articles in the EH&S newsletter. EH&S also investigates employee accidents occurring in winter and looks for trends to identify areas needing additional attention to prevent further injuries. Additionally, EH&S responds to and investigates complaints about unsafe conditions needing immediate attention. To report a safety concern or to sign up for winter safety training, call (614) 292-1284.
How to Prevent Slips and Falls-The Most Common Type of Workplace Injury
Even with constant monitoring and treatment, the workplace is full of imperceptible winter hazards. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies slip, trip, and fall hazards as some of the most common types of workplace injuries, accounting for 15 percent of all accidental deaths.
Tips for avoiding slips and falls on ice and snow:
-
Do the penguin shuffle.
- Walk flat-footed, taking short steps.
- Wear sensible footwear with good tread, preferably boots.
- Do not wear high heels outdoors; instead bring a change of shoes.
- Don't rush. Plan ahead and give yourself sufficient time to get to your destination.
- Try not to carry too much-you need to leave your hands and arms free to better balance yourself.
- Scope out the walking surfaces before stepping to watch for changing conditions and to identify hazards
- Use handrails
- Use a flashlight
- Report icy conditions
- Clean footwear thoroughly on mats when entering a building.
During the 2010-2011 winter months, slips and falls represented more than half of the reported injuries on the Columbus campus and at the medical center. By implementing the above steps, many injuries could be preventable.
Should you have an injury at work, please complete an Ohio State Employee Accident Report, accessed at hr.osu.edu/forms/accidentrpt.pdf.
Protection from Exposure to Cold Temperatures
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, including hypothermia, frostbite, and even death. Workers also may face increased risk of cold-related problems if they take certain medications, are in poor physical condition, or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. People working outdoors in the winter should take precautions to protect themselves from
the elements.
To avoid cold-induced illness:
- Wear proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions.
- Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions.
- Take frequent short breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow your body to warm up.
- Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.
- Drink warm, sweet beverages and soups.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine.
- Have a change of clothes available in case of heavy sweating or clothing becoming wet.
Making Your Commute to Work a Safe One
Living and working in Ohio means having to drive in snowy and icy weather. According to the National Research Council, poor weather-related driving conditions are associated with 1.5 million crashes annually in the United States. There is no avoiding it. Bad weather is coming, so make sure you are prepared. Many accidents can be avoided if you take time to learn and practice safe driving during the winter months.
Safe driving procedures:
- Always wear a seatbelt.
- Drive slower. Anticipate stops at traffic lights and intersections. Apply brakes sooner.
- Accelerate slowly to avoid loss of traction and loss of control.
- Turn slowly with caution, to avoid sliding. During a skid, steer cautiously in the direction you want the car to go.
- Always allow space between you and other vehicles.
- Avoid distractions, such as cell phone use, eating, etc.
- Install good winter or all-season tires on your vehicle for maximum traction.
- Stock a winter emergency kit containing heavy clothes and a blanket, sand or kitty litter, water, snack food, a small shovel, first aid kit, flashlight, and jumper cables.
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