When winter weather strikes, remember to think about the impact on your tools and equipment. Slippery conditions don’t just affect our walking and vehicles.

We may take our tools and equipment for granted, but winter ice and snow can cause challenges with them as well.

• Snow, ice, and water can cause slippery conditions at or near entrances to garages, loading docks, or warehouses.
• It is important to understand if your equipment can be used in wet conditions or not. When in doubt consult your
  • supervisor
  • equipment manuals
  • any Danger, Warning, or Caution tags on your equipment
• Try to eliminate snow, ice, and puddles where feasible. Your equipment may track into loading docs, warehouses or other areas that are normally dry. Other area occupants can be surprised by a slippery condition suddenly appearing.

Winter weather means vigilance for our walking and working surfaces. Just don’t forget how it may affect equipment.

When winter weather threatens, be extra careful with entering and exiting buildings and vehicles.

What is the risk?

When we enter and exit buildings we may be at extra risk of slipping and falling. When getting in and out of a vehicle our center of gravity shifts and may not be fully under our feet. When exiting a building we may be surprised by the change in traction outside. When entering a building we may bring wet conditions to floors, making them slippery.

What can you do?

• Use handrails for support.
• Use your vehicle for support.
• Try to keep your center of gravity over your support leg.
• Remove snow and water from shoes when entering a building.

It may be unseasonably warm this winter, but it’s important to look out for icy or slippery walking surfaces and conditions when they emerge.

Also, please help us to thank our Facilities Services employees who put in extra effort when it comes to inclement weather and keeping our walkways safe!