Facilities
Prepare your facilities for cold weather
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Winter is coming. Cold weather can have a significant impact on businesses, disrupting operations, damaging property, and putting employees and customers at risk. By taking steps to prepare for cold weather, businesses can minimize disruptions and keep everyone safe.
Many of the items you need to get through the winter are already on site, but it's important to take the time to review your plans and remind employees of cold weather hazards.
Here are a few tips for winter safety planning:
1. Review your emergency action plan.
Your emergency action plan should include procedures for dealing with freezing weather hazards, such as power outages, snowstorms, and extreme cold. The plan should also include communication procedures and emergency contact information.
Almost every business is required to have an emergency action plan (EAP)? If fire extinguishers are required or provided in your workplace, and if anyone will be evacuating during a fire or other emergency, then the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires you to have an EAP.
2. Perform a job hazard analysis.
Identify all the potential hazards associated with your employees' jobs in cold weather. Consider how cold weather could affect your employees' tasks, tools, and work environment. Make any necessary changes to keep your employees safe.
3. Protect your building.
Take steps to protect your building from cold weather damage. This may include inspecting your roof and gutters, repairing any cracks or leaks, and insulating your pipes. You should also have a plan for keeping your building warm in the event of a power outage.
4. Assign protective controls.
Identify any areas or tasks that require additional safety precautions in wintry weather. For example, you may need to provide employees with anti-slip footwear or cold weather gear. You may also need to implement new procedures for working in freezing weather conditions.
5. Document your plan.
Once you have developed a cold weather preparedness plan, document it and communicate it to all your employees. This will help ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a winter weather emergency.
Visual communication is essential for winter weather preparedness. Use signs, floor markings, and other visual communication methods to highlight hazards and remind employees of safety procedures. This is especially important in low-light conditions.
Keep walkways, parking lots, and doorways clear of snow and ice.
Provide employees with access to warm clothing and shelter.
Encourage employees to take breaks in warm areas.
Monitor employees for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Have a plan for evacuating your building if necessary.
Don't wait until the snow flies to review your winter safety plans and ensure that you have the tools and equipment you need.
Workplace safety is essential, and Christian Brothers Risk Management Services can help you achieve it. Our comprehensive resources, including downloadable resources, toolkits, and expert guidance, can help you establish and enhance your winter safety program. We can also conduct inspections and identify potential risks specific to your ministry.
Contact us today at 800.807.0300 or via email to learn how we can help your ministry achieve its risk management goals and protect your mission.
