Contractor Safety Council Awareness Material TOPIC: Winter Readiness For more information on the CSC and other awareness topics, see

Winter Risks Slips and Falls Cold Related Injuries Vehicle Incidents Fires (Home/Office) Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Office Safety Have materials and personnel ready to respond if weather hits. – Clear walkways – Prevent access to dangerous areas – Direct incoming traffic if needed for safe parking – Practice before you have bad weather Have a procedure ready to follow for inclement weather and releasing personnel for the day before the roads get too bad. Talk to your people about winter attire… high heels are not proper footwear for slippery surfaces.

Home/Office Safety Have your home heater serviced by a professional. Inspect all Smoke/Fire/Carbon Monoxide alarms to ensure they work properly and if applicable change out the batteries. If you are using space heaters ensure there are no combustible materials near by. Never leave a space heater on when you are away from home. Have your chimney inspected prior to stoking up the first fire. NOTE: Burn only seasoned hardwood like oak, ash or maple. Do not burn trash, cardboard boxes or Christmas trees because these items burn unevenly, and may contain poisons or cause a home fire. Have ice melt ready to keep your walkways clear.

Cold Injuries Ensure your people working remotely are trained in First Aid measures for cold weather. Ensure your people know how to identify a cold weather injury before it gets severe, and takes appropriate actions quickly. Have a medical management system in place in case quick advice/action is needed. – AXIOM (877) Talk to people about wearing proper clothing for winter, and having extra in case of emergencies.

Journey Management Pre-plan your route for the safest path, may not be the quickest. – Think about… Amount of traffic and hazards Road type and condition Road clearing by state or county Hills and other terrain that may affect driving Phone reception Keep current in the weather forecasting for your area and anywhere you may travel. – This can change quickly, so keep up to date often. Stop Work if you feel it is unsafe!

Vehicle Safety & Supplies Vehicle Safety List: Good tires for terrain you travel on Keep fuel tank above half at all times Tire chains & bungee cords for all tires Window scraper or deicer Reflective Triangles Jumper cables Extra winter clothes (Long underwear, socks, shirts, etc.) Blanket/Sleeping bag Lighter or matches First-aid kit 12 volt charger for cell phone Flashlight and extra batteries Window washer fluid (Can also use on muddy headlights & taillights) Shovel Non perishable food (spam, canned goods (w/opener), etc.) Water

Idling Vehicles An idling car can turn into a gas chamber when it is surrounded by snow banks, especially when snow is piled up around the car's tailpipe. Instead of escaping into the atmosphere, exhaust fumes tend to concentrate under the car's chassis, where they can enter the heating system or cracks in the body.

Idling Vehicles Carbon monoxide leads all toxins as a cause of sickness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Each year, it kills an average of 544 Americans in accidental exposures.

CO Poisoning Prevention If you have to idle the vehicle, follow these preventative tips. Ensure vehicle exhaust piping is in proper condition. Park vehicle in an area with good air current/flow. Keep windows down a few inches to allow fresh air into cab if you remain inside. Keep CO detector turned on to monitor and alarm you as needed.

In Closing 1.Be prepared BEFORE winter gets here. 2.Ensure vehicle and safety supplies are in place. 3.Keep current on weather forecast. 4.Pre-plan your trips, just like JHA. 5.Stop work if unsafe!

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