
As you know, your employer is responsible for ensuring you have a safe and healthful work environment. This is no different during the winter. But what about outside the workplace? What about your route to and from work?
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), 70% of injuries during winter storms occur due to vehicle accidents, and 25% result from being caught out in the storm.
You can't always avoid accidents caused by other drivers, but you can be prepared for travel in winter weather or storms (if they are not severe enough to shut down the roads).
The most obvious step you can take is to check the NWS site, the Weather Channel, the local weather service, or a smart phone application to determine what kind of weather to expect. Other steps include conducting a winter inspection of your vehicle and preparing and carrying an emergency kit in the vehicle – for those of you who work from an employer vehicle, these are musts and should be overseen by your employer.
Items you should check on your vehicle include the breaks; cooling, electrical, and exhaust systems; tires; oil; engine, and your visibility elements such as lights, wipers, and defrosters. Ensuring these are in good condition can prevent accidents.
It's also a good idea to have at least half a tank of gas in the car at all times in case you find yourself stuck in traffic – you don't want to run out of fuel in winter weather.
An emergency kit will come in handy if you are in an accident or become trapped in your vehicle. Such a kit should include blankets or sleeping bags, a cell phone or two-way radio, windshield scraper and snow brush, a flashlight, extra winter clothes, a shovel, tow chain, and traction aids (sand or cat litter), emergency flares, jumper cables, water, snacks, and roadmaps (in case the weather prevents satellite reception).
For more information, see the National Safety Council's handout Winter, Your Car and You.
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Safety Tip of the Month
Winter safety
NOAA, Weather, Winter weather, National safety Council, National Weather Service