ARTICLE
Now that we’re finally seeing some snowflakes, it’s a good time to make sure your crews are prepared for working through the winter. Winter weather presents hazards including slippery roads/surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold. Employers must prevent illnesses, injuries, or fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplaces impacted by winter weather. OSHA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) work together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to severe weather and have resources available at www.osha.gov/winter-weather to help businesses and their workers prepare for winter weather, and to provide information about hazards that workers may face during and after winter storms. Particular points of emphasis include: Preparedness Cold Stress Hazards/Precautions Although OSHA does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including winter weather-related hazards, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them (Section 5(a)(1)). Employers should, therefore, train workers on the hazards of the job and safety measures to use, such as engineering controls and safe work practices, that will protect workers' safety and health.
Now that we’re finally seeing some snowflakes, it’s a good time to make sure your crews are prepared for working through the winter. Winter weather presents hazards including slippery roads/surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold. Employers must prevent illnesses, injuries, or fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplaces impacted by winter weather. OSHA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) work together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to severe weather and have resources available at www.osha.gov/winter-weather to help businesses and their workers prepare for winter weather, and to provide information about hazards that workers may face during and after winter storms. Particular points of emphasis include:
Although OSHA does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including winter weather-related hazards, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them (Section 5(a)(1)). Employers should, therefore, train workers on the hazards of the job and safety measures to use, such as engineering controls and safe work practices, that will protect workers' safety and health.