FCCS News & Insights

Safety Tips for the Winter Months

Safety is important all year long, but especially so during the winter when increased pressures from events and activities, family and friend expectations, holiday preparations and year-end work responsibilities can increase your risk of injury or accident.

Developing a safety mindset is your best bet by continually identifying potential risks and adjusting behavior accordingly. Here are some tips from the Farm Credit Captive Insurance Company to help both individuals and organizations keep everyone safer.

On foot…

Change your walk: When confronting snow and ice, take smaller steps and land flat-footed rather than heel first. You’ll look a bit like a duck – in fact, this is called duck walking – but you’ll reduce the liklihood of your foot slipping out from under you. More than 90% of slip and fall claims could be prevented by walking correctly for the conditions.

Beware water on tile: Melting snow on indoor tile – or even rainwater during the summer – is more slippery than even snow and ice. Pay attention to warning signs identifying wet floors and take even smaller “duck” steps.

On the road…

Don’t drive impaired: No matter how short the distance, driving under the influence of intoxicants puts you, other drivers and pedestrians at risk: skill decreases, decision time is reduced and decision-making is not as precise. Even if an accident isn’t your fault, you’ll get cited if you’re under the influence. Some of the costliest claims the Captive has had are drunk driving accidents.

Slow down: With more to do than any other time of the year, everyone is in a hurry and distracted by their lengthy to-do lists. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination so you don’t feel rushed, and don’t get swept up in everyone else’s frenzy. Instead, take a deep breath at stop signs or lights, and consider how litte the few extra seconds’ wait will ultimately make to your journey.

Beware the weather. With winter storms hitting further and further south, freezing rain and snow are a danger practically throughout the country. Pay attention to the weather forecast and the temperature, and if it’s near or below freezing, slow down and take extra care making turns.

Watch for wildlife. Deer are always moving year-round in all states. Keep an eye out for wild animals – look for the light reflecting off their eyes at night – and slow down so you can avoid them if they take to the road.

At the office…

Organizations have a big role to play in protecting their employees’ safety during the winter, starting with effective, reliable snow and ice removal from parking lots and walkways. Make sure you have a strong contract with specific expectations so you’re covered all season.

Monitor conditions: Once the snowplow is finished, the piles of snow will eventually melt and may re-freeze. Building maintenance, or your contracted vendor, should continue to pay attention to these pedestrian areas and treat ice as needed.

Keep lobby floors clean and dry. Most office floors are tile or wood, so they won’t absorb the melting snow from employees’ and visitors’ feet. Many falls happen just inside or outside your front doors where conditions change – regular mopping and warning signage can help keep everyone safe.

Educate your employees: Remind your employees about these winter safety tips via your normal communications channels: with this simple annual reminder at the beginning of the season, one Captive customer reduced their slip and falls by 85% consistently for three years.

There are a myriad of ways organizations keep their employees safe throughout the year, from properly maintained fleet vehicles, to correctly stretched carpet and keeping walkways clear to eliminate tripping risk, to offering emotional wellness support. You can learn more about risk reduction by contacting the Captive Claims teams at [email protected].