Safety topics
Winter safety
Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in the United States, and winter weather significantly increases the risk. Ice, snow, and sleet can quickly turn walkways, parking lots, stairs, and entrances into hazardous surfaces.
Beyond the personal impact, slip-and-fall injuries can lead to significant medical costs, lost productivity, and workers' compensation expenses.
The good news? Winter slips, trips, and falls are preventable.
Preparing before the first snowfall helps safety managers, supervisors, and facility teams reduce hazards and respond more effectively when winter weather arrives. It’s also an ideal time to remind employees about proper footwear and safe winter walking practices.
Five ways to avoid winter slip-and-fall risks
Keep walkways, stairs, entrances, and parking areas clear of snow and ice. Promptly shovel, salt, and sand surfaces to improve traction and reduce slip hazards.
Look beyond sidewalks and parking lots. Inspect roofs for snow overhangs that could dump accumulating snow on pedestrians or drip onto walkways and refreeze. Safely remove snow or restrict access until conditions improve.
Identify and prioritize areas where slips and falls are most likely to occur, such as entrances, walkways, loading areas, and parking lots. Mapping these locations helps focus snow and ice removal efforts where they're needed most.
Make sure employees understand snow and ice removal schedules, temporary route changes, and procedures for reporting hazardous conditions.
Encourage workers to wear footwear appropriate for winter conditions. Ice cleats and other traction enhancers can provide additional grip, particularly for employees responsible for outdoor work or snow removal.
Organizations looking to strengthen their slip-and-fall prevention efforts can also explore discounted slip-resistant footwear and safety footwear program solutions through MEMIC's partnership with Shoes For Crews®.
Looking for more?
Find additional blogs, fact sheets, posters, safety minutes, and other safety resources in Safety Director by searching "winter safety."
Featured partner resource
MEMIC partners with Shoes For Crews® to give policyholders access to discounted footwear and customizable safety footwear programs. MEMIC policyholders receive:
15% off all shoe styles
Special pricing of $27.00, plus free shipping, on two select ice cleat products
Stay safe on ice and snow with ice cleats
Winter conditions can significantly increase slip-and-fall risks for employees working outdoors or moving between parking lots, walkways, and job sites. Ice cleats from Shoes For Crews® provide additional traction to help employees maintain stable footing on snow- and ice-covered surfaces.
MEMIC policyholders are eligible for discounted pricing on select ice cleat products.
Winter Safety Insights
Related podcast episodes
Get more with Safety Director
The resources available on MEMIC.com are just the beginning.
Safety Director, MEMIC’s web-based safety management tool, provides access to additional safety training materials, compliance resources, and expert guidance, including BLR EHS Hero and BLR HR Hero sites.