Preventing Slips and Falls When Walking or Working on Snow or Ice

WALKING ON SNOW AND ICE:

• Beware of icicles on the buildings and avoid walking beneath them.
• When walking on icy or snow-covered walkways, take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react quickly to change in traction.
• Use handrails on stairs and ramps.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

• Plow, shovel and use de-icing salting or ice melting chemicals to remove ice and snow.
• Be extra careful on ladders, maintenance stands, and stairways.
• Have designated personnel arrive earlier to clear sidewalks of snow and ice.
• Ensure designated personnel do not forget to shovel and de-ice employee service entrances, walkways to portables, and walkways to dumpsters.
• Consider putting buckets of sand or ice melt at all entrances/exits from the buildings so that any employee can apply it without waiting for a building custodian.
• Encourage staff and students to notify the principal immediately about icy sidewalks, entrances, and walkways.
• Take extra care when walking to and from vehicles in the parking lot when icy/slick conditions are present.
• Place a durable mat just outside the entrance, where students and staff can clean ice, snow, and mud off their shoes before they enter.
• Use good solid carpet runners or mats inside the building entrances for students and staff to wipe off their feet. (Make sure the mats do not bunch up and create a tripping hazard).
• Have readily available and display wet floor signs in areas where snow is tracked in and will melt.
• Avoid high heels, platform shoes, or cowboy boots since these can compromise your natural balance and often do not have tread on the sole.
• Avoid leather soles and any sole with a smooth finish.
• Wear boots and shoes with good treads. Rubber soles work well.
• Custodians, coaches, teachers, or paraprofessionals on playground duty should consider wearing strap-on ice grips around their shoes for better traction when walking or working outdoors.
• Investigate each slip and fall accident and determine what its cause was to prevent a reoccurrence.