SAFETY DESK: Don't REACT to Winter - Be Prepared!

There are many ways to show you’re not prepared for winter - from not having tools and materials handy to keep sidewalks and access ways clear, to walking with your hands in your pockets.

The more you prepare and plan ahead for winter safety, the more you’ll be able to enjoy all the good parts of the season.

Some good practices to keep in mind:

Allow extra time for just about everything: warming up cars or equipment, cleaning snow and ice, getting dressed in layers for the cold outdoors. Don’t be in a rush because you failed to plan.
Carry an extra set of clothes in your car. If you have kids, make sure you have a set of warm clothes for them, too. And keep an extra set of clothes at work, too.
Allow for extra stopping distance to handle poor road conditions.
Clean all the snow off of your car, not just your windshield.
Don’t walk with your hands in your pockets when it’s slick outside. If you slip and fall, you will have a difficult time preventing injuries when your hands aren’t able to help.

That last point might sound far-fetched, but it has happened!

When I was stationed in Alaska, a pilot was walking out to our helicopter for a pre-flight rescue mission inspection when she slipped on the ice and did a face-plant.

Because her hands were in her coat pockets, she broke her jaw and knocked out four teeth.

These are just a few things we can do at home and at work to be proactive in preventing injuries and incidents.

Stay warm and have a plan to work safely and go home to your family.