MESH General Awareness: Winter Safety

Ice & Snow – Take it Slow! Most of our VGNA injuries have occurred in the winter months ​with winter weather ​as either the cause or contributing factor ​to the incident. As we continue to improve our EHS performance we need to remain focused on each task, choosing ​ZERO.

Winter Safety - Walking 1. Wear boots or overshoes with grip soles such as rubber and neoprene composite. Slick leather or plastic soles on shoes will definitely increase the risk of slipping. 2. When getting out of your vehicle, look down at the surface. If it’s coated with ice you might want to park in a different place. 3. Use special care when entering or exiting vehicles; use the vehicle for support. Before standing brace yourself with the vehicle door and seat back, this will give you some stability.

Winter Safety - Walking 4. Step - Don't jump from vehicles. 5. Don't walk with your hands in your pockets. This reduces the ability to use your arms for balance if you do slip. 6. Take short shuffling steps in very icy areas. 7. Don't carry or swing heavy loads, such as large boxes, cases or purses that may cause you to lose your balance when you are walking. 8. When walking, curl your toes under and walk as flat-footed as possible.

Winter Safety - Walking 9. Don't step on uneven surfaces. Avoid curbs with ice on them. 10. Place your full attention on walking. Digging in your pocketbook or backpack while walking on ice is dangerous. 11. Test potentially slick areas by tapping your foot on them. 12. Keep walkways clear of debris, water, ice and slippery materials.

Personal Controls (Safeguards) Slip on grips or cleats help provide traction and are easy to take on and off!

Winter Safety - Driving Get a grip. Make sure tires have enough tread or purchase winter tires to ensure good traction. Clear windshield. Always take the time to clean the windshield and side glass of snow, ice, and frost. Never drive with just a small clear opening for visibility. This reduced visibility and being in a “hurry” to get on the road is the cause of numerous accidents every year. Run the air conditioner, in order to remove condensation and frost from the interior of windows, engage your air conditioner and select the fresh air option. It's fine to set the temperature on "hot.” Many cars automatically do this when you choose the defrost setting. Check your lights. Use your headlights so that others will see you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are clear of snow.

Winter Safety - Driving Give yourself a brake. It's easy to properly use antilock brakes: Stomp, stay and steer. Stomp on the pedal as if you were trying to snap it off. Stay hard on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle. If you drive on icy roads or roads that are covered with snow, modify your ABS technique. After you "Stomp" and the ABS begins cycling — you will feel pulses in the pedal or hear the system working — ease up slightly on the pedal until the pulsing happens only once a second. Watch carefully for "black ice." If the road looks slick, it probably is. This is especially true with one of winter's worst hazards, "black ice.” Also called "glare ice," this is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. Test the traction with a smooth brake application or slight turn of the wheel.

Vehicle Controls (Safeguards)

Choose ZERO… Use your best judgment when driving to work! If weather conditions are too severe, work with your supervisor to work remotely. Eaton facilities will send out severe weather alerts advising to use your judgment when commuting during inclement weather.

References Marshall EHS: Anna Horvath Office: 269-781-0218 AnnaLHorvath@Eaton.com Galesburg EHS: Jessica Bothell Office: 269-342-3021 jessicabothell@eaton.com