Winter Working
ACTIVITY:
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
TITLE
Winter Working
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
WHAT HAPPENED
Take ONE: WINTER IS COMING
The risk of having an accident in the winter is higher than during the summer. We can reduce the risk by paying particular attention to the hazards that contribute to winter accidents.
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
Here are a few things to consider. On all mobile and static plant check that:
- Lights are working and adequate.
Walkways:
-Slipping, tripping and falling hazards – such as potholes, puddles, accumulation of mud or silt and areas where ice may form - should be reported and rectified.
- Grit or salt supplies should be strategically placed and it should be clearly understood when, where and who spreads them. Consider using mechanical spreaders if possible.
- Consider Car parks and main walkways.
- Boot scrapers/cleaners are very useful at entrances to buildings, bottom of steps, etc.
- Block-stone and other walkway markers should be painted or marked to improve visibility during darkness.
Buildings and Static Plant:
- Leaking roofing should be fixed before the weather gets too wet and windy.
- Belt scrapers should be checked to ensure they are working efficiently.
- Line heaters and insulation should be checked before the cold finds the problem for you.
- Parts prone to freezing, such as pipes, feed bins, etc, should be assessed and the effects minimised by insulating, providing shelter and implementing draining down procedures.
Vehicles:
-Roads should be graded for good drainage and to prevent potholes.
- Pay particular attention to surfaces in parking areas.
- Heaters / de-misters should be working efficiently.
- Steps and ladders to the cab should be in good condition and non-slip.
- Incidents – several people have been injured getting into or out of vehicles.
- Use 'drive-through' parking to eliminate reversing, which is even more hazardous in the dark.
- Batteries should be in serviceable condition. Where battery charging or jump-starting may be necessary, ensure only those who have been trained / instructed in the correct procedures carry it out.
- Ensure windows are clean and defrosted before you move off.
- Has antifreeze been put in the coolant?
BE AWARE - STOPPING DISTANCES COULD INCREASE IN SNOW AND ICY CONDITIONS.
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
ACTIVITY:
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
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