Now that winter has officially arrived, Americans living in states like Ohio must be extra cautious when walking, driving, and engaging in winter recreational activities like snowmobiling, skiing, and sledding. Winter means snow and ice, which makes some day-to-day activities potentially dangerous.
Thankfully, common sense safety measures can prevent accidents during winter.
Winter Statistics on Slips, Falls, and Accidents at Work and Outside of Work
Winter-related slips and falls can occur at any time, but studies show they are likely to occur at one’s place of work or in the course of one’s work. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, winter slips and falls are a leading cause of work-related injuries in the Midwest. Further, such accidents occur outside of work, as any place with a slippery surface can cause an accident.
According to data compiled by the above organizations:[1]
- Slips and falls contribute to approximately 20% of all workplace injuries.
- More than 800,000 Americans are hospitalized yearly from slip and fall injuries.
- At least 25% of ice and snow-related slips and falls occur in workplace parking lots.
- Over 20,000 injuries occur yearly due to slipping and falling on icy or snowy surfaces.
- Reports indicate that the medical costs for winter slips and falls reach $50 billion annually.
- The most common injuries connected to slips and falls include hip, head, shoulder, and hand injuries.
- Slips and falls cause about 15% of all accidental workplace deaths, second only to motor vehicle accidents.
The above data briefly touches on the workplace injuries connected to winter slips and falls, not even approaching the overall risk that people face in all areas of their life during this season. Given the danger, Americans would do well to follow basic safety tips during winter.
Tips for Staying Safe During Winter
The partners at NRS Injury Law would like to ask our fellow Ohioans to follow these safety tips for preventing accidents this winter:
- Use handrails when available.
- Be on the lookout for slippery surfaces when walking.
- Wear appropriate footwear made for icy, slippery, and snowy conditions.
- Give yourself extra time to get to and from work and other appointments.
- Monitor road conditions for black ice, freezing rain, and other winter hazards.
- When stepping out of a vehicle, ensure both feet are planted firmly on the ground before standing.
- Take smaller, shorter steps, don’t overstep, and keep your center of gravity squarely above your feet.
- When appropriate, report any unsafe conditions to the employer, business owners, and city managers.
- Keep your hands free! Wear gloves, but keep your hands free to quickly catch yourself and prevent a fall.
- Do the “penguin walk.” There’s a reason why penguins walk the way they do. They’re trying to prevent a slip too!
Injured? Contact NRS Injury Law for Help
NRS Injury Law is here to help in the event of a workplace slip and fall. We can also help in non-workplace accidents. Businesses are responsible for keeping their premises safe for employees and customers. If winter weather conditions make a parking lot, sidewalk, driveway, or entryway unsafe and an injury occurs, NRS Injury Law can represent the victim in recovering damages, lost wages, and compensation for medical bills. For a consultation, call NRS Injury Law at 855.468.4878 or fill out our contact form.
Sources:
[1] BLS. “Fatal and nonfatal falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021. bls.gov
