OSHA: Preventing cold stress, slips on snow and ice

Snow and ice create slips, trips and falls hazards for workers. Employers should clear snow and ice from walking surfaces and spread deicer as quickly as possible after a storm. When walking on snow or ice is unavoidable, employers should ensure that workers are equipped with footwear with good traction and insulation. Employers should also instruct workers to take short steps and walk at a slower pace so they can react quickly to a change in traction. See OSHA's Winter Weather Web page for more information on staying safe in cold weather.

OSHA has winter weather resources available to help employers protect outdoor workers exposed to hazards from the cold, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Workers exposed to cold weather can be at risk of frostbite that causes freezing in the deep layers of skin and tissue and can cause permanent damage. Signs of frostbite include a loss of feeling and a waxy-white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, nose or ear lobes. Workers can also be at risk of hypothermia, which occurs when the body temperature drops to less than 95°F. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness and exhaustion. OSHA's Cold Stress QuickCard (PDF*), now available in Spanish (PDF*), explains how to protect workers from these life-threatening hazards.