Winter Walking and Working Surfaces Workplan

In much of the country, winter means snow, slush and ice melt, which means headaches for building managers. The mess that winter weather leaves behind can lead to slips and trips, so OSHA requires that employers keep walking working surfaces free from snow and ice. Tracked-in salt and snow are hard on the floors, too, accelerating wear and tear.

Slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of general industry workplace accidents. Second only to motor vehicle incidents, they cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths – about 12,000 per year – and are among the most commonly reported injuries, representing about 25 percent of all annual claims.

Tips for Winter Fall Protection

• Rethink your matting
• Keep on mopping
• Deep clean floors
• Check your lighting