How To Prevent The Most Common Winter Workplace Injuries

A Leader’s Guide to Preventing Winter Workplace Injuries

Winter weather introduces predictable risks to your business. Ignoring them is a financial gamble. With employee turnover higher than ever, you likely have inexperienced team members who are less familiar with seasonal safety protocols.

It’s time to prepare. The four most significant winter hazards are slips and falls, vehicle accidents, cold stress, and unsafe equipment. A focused safety plan protects your employees and your bottom line.

1. Slips and Falls: Your Biggest Winter Liability

According to industry data, the average workers’ compensation claim for a winter slip and fall costs between $40,000 and $45,000. These incidents are common, costly, and preventable.

Focus your prevention efforts on these key areas.

Your Winter Walkway Safety Checklist

• Clear Snow and Ice Proactively. Your parking lots, walkways, and entrances must be cleared before employees arrive. Hire a reliable contractor or assign this task to trained staff. Define clear expectations for timing and frequency.
• Stockpile Supplies. Maintain a large supply of de-icing products. You cannot run out during a storm. Ensure you have enough shovels and that snowblowers are serviced and ready.
• Improve Visibility. Ensure all outdoor walkways and parking areas are well-lit. Poor lighting hides icy patches.
• Manage Water Runoff. Check that gutters and downspouts drain away from walking surfaces. Clogged gutters create ice dams and hazardous slicks.
• Keep Indoor Surfaces Dry. Place large, non-slip safety mats at every entrance. Mop up tracked-in snow and water immediately. Use “Wet Floor” signs to warn of hazardous areas.
• Train Your Team. Teach employees how to walk safely on ice: take short, slow steps, keep hands free for balance, and use handrails. Encourage them to wear appropriate, slip-resistant footwear.
• Inspect Your Property. Regularly check for deteriorating steps, loose handrails, and other hazards that become more dangerous in winter.

A Note on Remote Workers

Workers’ compensation rules are adapting to remote work. If an employee’s home is their designated workplace, their immediate surroundings can be considered part of the worksite.

Consider this real-life case: An employee working from home slipped on her icy driveway while walking to her car for a client meeting. The court ruled the injury was work-related and covered by workers’ comp. Why? Because her trip started from her official worksite (her home office) and was for a business purpose. The lesson is clear: set expectations for home office safety, even outdoors.

2. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Winter driving is dangerous, and any accident involving an employee traveling for business—whether in a company car or their own vehicle—is a potential liability.

• Maintain Your Fleet. Ensure all vehicles have proper tires for winter conditions. Regularly check wiper blades, fluids, and defrosting systems.
• Mandate Safe Driving Practices. Train drivers on techniques for handling snow and ice. Require that all snow and ice be cleared from windows, lights, and the vehicle’s roof before driving.
• Equip Vehicles for Emergencies. The National Safety Council recommends every vehicle have a winter emergency kit with items like a blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, and a snow brush.

The Remote Worker Complication

Typically, an employee’s commute to and from a single place of work is not covered by workers’ compensation. This is known as the “Coming and Going Rule.”

However, this rule often does not apply to remote or hybrid employees. If an employee works from home and drives to the main office for a mandatory meeting, that travel can be considered part of their job duties. An accident during that trip could result in a covered workers’ comp claim.

3. Cold Stress

Serious cold-related illnesses like hypothermia and frostbite can occur in temperatures well above freezing, especially when wind and moisture are factors.

• Train Employees to Recognize Symptoms. Your team must know the signs of cold stress and how to respond.
• Set Clear Clothing Guidelines. While you can’t mandate a specific wardrobe, you can educate your team on effective layering. Recommend moisture-wicking base layers, an insulating middle layer, and a wind and waterproof outer layer.
• Provide a Warm, Dry Space. Mandate frequent, short breaks in a heated shelter. This is non-negotiable for outdoor crews.
• Adjust Work Schedules. When possible, schedule outdoor work for the warmest part of the day.
• Promote Hydration. Provide warm beverages and easy access to restrooms. Dehydration increases the risk of cold stress.
• Implement a Buddy System. Require employees to work in pairs to monitor each other for signs of cold stress.

4. Equipment Failures and Hazards

Cold weather puts extra strain on machinery, creating new safety risks.

• De-ice All Equipment. Clear snow and ice from steps, ladders, and standing platforms before use. Inspect and maintain all anti-slip surfaces.
• Allow for Warm-Up Time. Cold engines are prone to failure. Give all machinery ample time to warm up before operating.
• Use Winter-Grade Fluids. Ensure all oils, lubricants, and other fluids are appropriate for cold-weather operation.
• Check Batteries and Hoses. Cold can weaken batteries and make hoses brittle. Inspect them daily.
• Account for Poor Visibility. Shorter days and winter storms reduce visibility. Ensure all equipment lights and backup alarms are working perfectly.
• Perform End-of-Day Maintenance. Clean mud and snow from tracks and undercarriages to prevent them from freezing overnight. Park equipment on planks to keep tires from freezing to the ground.