Winter work introduces serious safety risks like cold stress, icy surfaces, carbon monoxide exposure, and snow removal injuries. A strong seasonal plan helps employers control hazards through PPE, inspections, and cold-weather training. Use a winter safety checklist to protect workers and stay OSHA compliant.
To prevent cold stress, employers should limit exposure, adjust workloads, and plan for changing conditions. Heated break areas, warm drinks, and modified schedules help workers recover during extreme cold. A full prevention program should also include training, engineering controls, and planned work-rest cycles.
Using a buddy system helps catch symptoms early, especially for isolated or remote crews. Employers should also monitor forecasts and pause work when wind chills become dangerous. Along with exposure controls, workers need task-appropriate winter PPE to stay safe in cold conditions.
Winter PPE should match both the weather and the specific job task. Under OSHA’s PPE standard, employers must provide protective gear when conditions create a known hazard. While a regular winter coat doesn’t count as PPE, items like insulated gloves, waterproof boots, and anti-slip traction devices are often required.
Each item should be inspected before use to make sure it still offers full protection. Gear that fits poorly or fogs up, like loose gloves or scratched goggles, can create new risks. Even with proper PPE, winter injuries can still happen, especially on icy walkways and active job sites.
To reduce slips and falls, employers should clear, treat, and inspect all walkways before work begins. OSHA requires walking surfaces to be kept free of snow and ice when possible, and applying deicer after storms remains one of the most effective prevention steps.
Additional steps include encouraging workers to take short, deliberate steps, providing footwear with good traction, using warning signs in icy areas, and scheduling routine inspections after each snowfall. While slips are common, snow removal, especially on rooftops, brings its own set of serious risks.
Limit rooftop work, avoid overexertion, and choose safer methods. Falls are the most common cause of injury during rooftop snow removal, according to OSHA. Whenever possible, use long-handled tools from the ground. If workers must go on the roof, fall protection is mandatory.
Powered snow blowers also carry risks. One CDC report found 65% of snow blower ER injuries involved finger lacerations, most from jam clearing without proper shutdown procedures. And once the snow is gone, don’t overlook another serious winter hazard, carbon monoxide buildup from fuel-powered heaters and generators.
Fuel-powered equipment can quickly create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. Since CO is colorless, odorless, and potentially fatal, OSHA and the CDC advise against using generators, space heaters, or vehicles in any confined space.
To reduce risk, keep generators at least 20 feet from buildings, install battery-operated CO detectors in heated trailers or shelters, and train workers to recognize early symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Just as indoor crews need CO safeguards, outdoor teams need preparation for another major winter hazard: driving in snow and ice.
Safe winter driving starts with training, equipment, and planning. Icy roads raise the risk of skids, collisions, and lost control, so drivers should slow down, leave extra space, and avoid sudden turns or stops. Employers can help by providing winter driving training, checking vehicles for winter readiness, and adjusting schedules to avoid unnecessary travel during storms.
Additional best practices include setting up high-visibility work zones with cones and barriers and reinforcing safe driving habits across your crew. Winter driving presents serious risks, so preparation matters as much on the road as it does on the job site.
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What does a winter workplace safety checklist include?
A winter safety checklist includes cold stress prevention, snow and ice removal plans, PPE checks, carbon monoxide controls, and storm response procedures.
Are employers required to provide winter gear like jackets and boots?
Only if the gear is needed to control a workplace hazard. OSHA doesn’t require employers to provide ordinary weather clothing unless it serves a safety function.
How often should walkways be checked for ice in winter?
After each winter storm and during freeze-thaw cycles. OSHA requires walkways to be free of snow and ice where feasible.
Can employers be fined for not protecting workers from cold weather?
Yes. Under the General Duty Clause, OSHA can cite employers who fail to address known winter hazards like cold exposure or slippery surfaces.
What are the safety rules for using generators and heaters at work in winter?
Keep generators at least 20 feet away, install CO detectors, and ventilate enclosed areas. These steps reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.