Autumn Safety Check

Here in the Pacific Northwest, at the home of DuraLabel, fall weather arrived about a month late. However, leaves aren’t the only thing falling now as the autumn weather changes. With low light and inclement weather, people tend to fall down more often too. With rain and snow a daily occurrence, driving safety is also impacted. All of this challenges safety and facility managers to be vigilant about seasonal hazards. Here are a few hazards and solutions to safeguard your workers during the fall and winter months.

Slip, trips and falls

Hazard: The wet weather, falling leaves and freezing water can leave workers battered and bruised—and wet—if they succumb to slippery walkways. Especially where deciduous trees, such as maples, oaks or elms are planted, the colorful leaves can:

• Clog drains, allowing water to collect in areas of foot traffic
• Create a slippery mush of decomposing leaf litter that is dangerous to walk on

And as rain gives way to snow and ice, walkways can ice over quickly, increasing the slip and fall hazard dramatically.

Solutions: To prevent drains from clogging, replace flat drain covers with atrium-style drain covers. Atrium covers are designed to maximize water flow in the presence of leaf debris. If a drainage system appears to be clogged in the piping system, make it a priority to have a plumber or maintenance person clear the clog. Note that even with an atrium cover installed, you should continue to monitor walkways for drainage issues.

For slippery mush, have maintenance personnel rake walkways at least once per day, or as many times as are necessary to keep walkways reasonably clear. Bear in mind that not only rain, but also wind, can cause leaves to cover walkways. Be sure to examine and maintain all areas of outdoor foot traffic, including outdoor parking lots and the walkways leading from them to your facility.

When ice is a hazard, use a deicer to prevent ice build-up. Note that using salt is toxic to soil, and that several effective alternatives are available from suppliers. Use ANSI-compliant Caution signage in areas prone to freezing to warn of possible ice accumulation.

Outdoor lighting issues

Hazard: Even before we all “fall back,” dusk creeps closer to closing time every day. And mornings are darker too. The decrease in visibility increases the likelihood of falling.

Solutions: Walkways need to be not only well lit, but also have the lighting switched on at an appropriate time to ensure safe arrival and departure for all employees, including after-hours maintenance staff. The exterior lighting should be on for all hours of darkness, even when the facility is closed. Doing so helps prevent trip and fall hazards and also discourages criminal activity.

This is a good time to review your outdoor lighting and make adjustments where necessary. Light should come from more than one direction, such that shadows are eliminated. Make sure all steps are conspicuously lit. Parking lots and other parking areas must also include good lighting, eliminating shadows as employees go to and from their cars. In some areas, a motion-detector switch can be effective for switching on outdoor light.

As long as you’re evaluating where and how your lighting is activated, check out the wiring. Outdoor lighting, because it’s exposed to weather, must include ground fault switches. Regular inspection and maintenance of all lighting and electrical systems is a major safety priority in fall and winter.

Foyer and water don’t mix

Hazard: During wet weather, both employees and customers track a lot of water into the office with dripping clothes, shoes and umbrellas. This increases the likelihood of sprains and strains from slipping and falling. If your office foyer or lobby has a hard surface, such as tile, stone, wood, or concrete, this could be a big problem.

Solution: Use a walkway rug, at least during the rainy season. Provide a space for customers and employees to park their umbrellas. Also include plastic bags for them to put them in—similar to those used by florists to hold wet flowers. By controlling the amount of water tracked in by customers and employees and providing extra traction, you significantly reduce the possibility of strains and sprains because of slipping. Last but not least, use a "slippery when wet" or “wet floor” sandwich board when water accumulates and before it can be cleaned up.

Auto fleet

Hazard: An increase in auto accidents always coincides with the onset of the rainy season. Not only do rain and snow test a vehicle’s performance, but they also cause other drivers to operate recklessly.

Solutions: If you have a car or truck fleet, have them inspected and be sure they have the following:

• Tires: make sure your tires have plenty of tread, and where necessary, equip your vehicles with snow tires or chains. Because temperature swings can wreak havoc on tire pressure, check the pressure weekly, as under-inflated tires have reduced gripping ability.
• Brakes: Even if brakes are in fair condition, they will experience greater wear during winter months and need to be as new as possible for optimal safety.
• Wiper blades: If your area is subject to heavy winter storms, consider heavy-duty wipers. Always start the season with fresh wipers and consider windshield treatments that repel rain and fog.
• Engine maintenance: Cold weather is tough on spark plugs so start the season with a fresh set. If your battery is approaching the three-year mark, replace it. As long as you’re getting all this work done on your vehicle, have the belts checked and the oil filter changed. Every vehicle should be equipped with jumper cables.
• Fuel and fluids: In very cold weather, it’s important to keep your fuel tank at least half-full to prevent freezing of water vapor in the fuel line. Having all fluids up to their maximum levels also improves performance.
• Oil heater: Try using oil heaters for your vehicles if cold weather delays start-up time.

More important than any of these physical precautions, however is permission for drivers to drive slowly. Let your drivers know that you would rather they drive cautiously and possibly be late, than to drive carelessly and be on time. Encourage them to schedule more time for their driving schedules than they would in better weather. No amount of vehicle readiness can make up for bad choices made under pressure.

Originally published here: http://www.duralabel.com/duranews/2012/nov/autumn-safety-check