Guard against cold weather workplace challenges
Many welcome the transition from the heat of summer to cooler fall and winter weather, especially outdoor workers. However, with seasonal changes, workplace risks evolve, creating unique challenges for your employees. By advising them on seasonal best practices, you, too, play a crucial role in safeguarding employee well-being and productivity. So, let’s explore some potential seasonal risks and practical tips to help you mitigate them, ensuring ongoing productivity and compliance with on-site safety protocols.
Common workplace risks during seasonal changes
Outdoor laborers are often at risk of weather-related injuries and fatalities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 22 fatal workplace injuries from ice, snow and sleet. Many injuries and fatalities result from slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces and wet, fallen leaf debris. In fact, 19.9% of all reported workplace injuries were related to slips, trip or falls. Other times, weather-related injuries and fatalities could be related to frostbite and hypothermia, dehydration from strenuous activity, electric shocks or being struck by falling objects.
Related: Preventing workplace slips, trips and falls
Indoor workers may suffer similar fall-related injuries due to wet floors and poor lighting, while inadequate heating and air quality can cause employees to become sick or suffer from allergies.
Moreover, seasonal changes can significantly impact the mental health of both indoor and outdoor workers. About 5% of Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that typically peaks in winter and can last through 40% of the year. Experts usually associate SAD with how the brain responds to reduced sunlight and daytime hours, which can further affect people’s circadian rhythms. Unfortunately, SAD can impact employee engagement and productivity, lower their energy, cause difficulty concentrating and worsen fatigue. This could be especially dangerous for equipment operators or those responsible for other risky tasks, and for you and your business, it could mean costly workers’ benefits claims.
Worksite safety strategies for fall and winter
Fortunately, there are several approaches you can take to protect employees from physical hazards and poor mental health this winter. Here are different strategies to address indoor and outdoor workplace challenges throughout the season.
Outdoor safety
Outdoor laborers face significant risks during the summer months, including serious conditions like heat stroke, which occurs when body temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as heat exhaustion, cramps and rashes. Even as work slows down with the arrival of cooler weather, these workers remain vulnerable to the elements.
Despite brisk air temperatures, sun exposure can still impact workers, especially those without access to shaded areas. This risk is compounded in locations that experience significant temperature fluctuations — some up to 30 degrees — throughout the day, particularly during the transition from summer to fall. To address these changing conditions, encourage workers to dress in layers, allowing them to adjust their clothing as needed throughout their shift.
Other ways employers can improve outdoor safety for employees include:
- Providing a shady rest area for workers to take a break and get away from the sun, rain or snow.
- Encouraging workers to wear sunscreen.
- Implementing snow removal procedures after wintery weather.
- Using sand, salt and anti-slip mats to avoid falling on ice or wet surfaces.
- Requiring proper footwear with excellent traction and warmth.
- Identifying the correct tools and equipment for workers to handle downed power lines and electricity, preventing interactions with wet conditions.
- Providing protocols for removing downed trees and other debris safely from the worksite.
Indoor safety
Safety is crucial for those who work inside, too. To protect employees, place orange cones to point out wet surfaces. Likewise, carpeting should remain clean and dry to avoid mold growth.
Because daylight is shorter in the fall and winter, be sure to provide adequate indoor lighting. Swap out incandescent bulbs for light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. LED bulbs produce 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, helping you save money. They’re also safer because they’re cooler than conventional light bulbs.
Having HVAC systems maintained for the fall and winter seasons will also improve energy efficiency, air quality and indoor comfort for employees. With proper heating, employees are less likely to fall ill with winter colds. However, it’s also a good idea to supply hand sanitizer and tissues as an extra precaution.
Training and awareness
Enhancing workplace training and awareness helps employees look for hazards and protect themselves. In fact, 38% of construction site fatalities occur because of a lack of safety education and resources. You can add value by implementing the following:
- Training programs: Conducting safety drills, issuing online training modules and hosting regular safety discussions and meetings with employees.
- Updated protocols: Review company safety protocols and make updates as necessary, including for seasonal weather.
- Safety apps and tools: Leverage weather apps and other technology for employees to report safety concerns and incidents at the worksite.
- Signage: Hang signs throughout the workplace, including hazard warnings and safety-related infographics.
Requesting feedback from employees is important for ensuring comprehensive safety measures. Employees can offer valuable perspectives and insights regarding the specific challenges they face during the fall and winter months. Be sure to consider their input when updating workplace safety procedures.
Supporting employee well-being with the change of seasons
Poor mental health could have severe implications for employees’ ability to do their work safely and efficiently. Thus, it’s critical to be aware of the signs of SAD among teams and provide programs and services to improve their mental well-being.
Offering flexible work schedules is an effective way to help employees manage seasonal changes. Consider implementing remote or hybrid arrangements for indoor employees to reduce the risk of spreading winter germs in the workplace, keeping employees healthier and more productive.
Respecting work-life balance is also crucial for employee health. A 2022 study found that employees who reported a one-point increase in work-life balance were 77% more likely to report better overall health. Furthermore, these employees had a 32% lower likelihood of being diagnosed with a chronic condition.
Therefore, it’s important to foster a workplace culture that prioritizes open communication about mental health. Addressing mental health and physical safety isn’t just good practice — it’s part of a proactive approach to workplace risk management that includes comprehensive workers’ compensation and liability insurance.
Related: How employers can help manage workplace stress
Overcome seasonal workplace challenges seamlessly
As seasons transition to winter, workplace safety, health and job performance require renewed focus. Protecting workers from the elements and creating an ideal indoor environment become crucial. Prioritizing employees’ physical and mental well-being is essential for maintaining a safe and productive workplace. This comprehensive approach addresses both immediate safety concerns and long-term risk management for your tribal business.
Don’t forget, Arrowhead Tribal partners with the online safety training platform, the Training Network (hosted by Streamery), in order to provide tribal entities a value-added library of hundreds of trainings to help prevent costly safety incidents. The platform includes trainings that support seasonal workplace challenges like Slips, Trips and Falls, Winter Safety and Workplace Stress. These trainings follow nationally accepted safety standards and are ideal for both individual and group education. They can also be viewed from any device, include closed captioning, and many are also available in Spanish. To register, contact your tribal risk manager Mark Sherwood at 800.407.2027 or msherwood@chooseclear.com.
This article originally appeared on Arrowhead’s corporate blog. It has been updated and modified to better fit the needs of our Tribal producers and their insureds.