Winter weather brings a long list of operational challenges: icy surfaces, unpredictable storms, limited visibility, and increased fatigue. But one hazard consistently tops the list across nearly every industry: slips, trips, and falls. These incidents account for thousands of workplace injuries each year, and during winter, the risks increase dramatically.
For commercial facilities, grain elevators, transportation hubs, food production sites, and agricultural operations, these hazards don’t just slow down productivity, they can shut down operations and seriously injure valued employees.
Safety Made Simple’s own Joe Mlynek, who has trained thousands across the grain and ag industries, often emphasizes that winter hazards are especially dangerous because they become familiar and are easy to underestimate.. As Joe frequently reminds teams:
“Winter weather has it’s own unique challenges, The good news is that we can develop and execute a plan to identify, eliminate and/or control exposure.” .”
— Joe Mlynek, Safety Professional & SMS Subject Matter Expert
This is essential for building a proactive winter safety strategy.
Why Slips, Trips, and Falls Increase in Winter
Winter conditions compound everyday hazards by introducing:
- Ice accumulation on walking and working surfaces
- Melt/refreeze cycles that create hard-to-spot black ice
- Snow-covered hazards such as hoses, cords, uneven surfaces, and equipment components
- Wet floors inside entryways, shops, and scale houses
- Reduced visibility during early mornings or late afternoons
- Bulky clothing that restricts movement and affects balance
Often, the most dangerous situations occur not during storms, but after when conditions stabilize and workers lower their guard.
Strategies for Reducing Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards
1. Treat Walking Surfaces Early and Often
Apply salt, sand, or ice melt before storms and continue reapplying throughout the shift. Prioritize high-traffic areas such as entrances, scale platforms, stairways, ladders, and fuel islands.
2. Improve Lighting and Visibility
Dim winter daylight can hide hazards. Ensure exterior lights are operational, replace bulbs as needed, and consider adding lighting to docks, walkways, and parking areas.
3. Require Proper Footwear
Slip-resistant, insulated boots with deep tread significantly reduce fall risks. Employers should encourage or require winter-appropriate footwear—especially for employees working outdoors or moving between buildings.
4. Control Indoor Moisture
Foot traffic brings snow and ice indoors. Mats, absorbent runners, and frequent floor checks help prevent wet surfaces near entry points, lunchrooms, and office transitions.
5. Reinforce Safe Behavior and Body Positioning
Rushing is one of winter’s biggest risk factors. Encourage employees to:
- Walk slowly and take shorter steps
- Use handrails
- Maintain three points of contact on equipment
- Avoid carrying loads that block visibility
As Joe emphasizes in training, exposure is what causes injuries. Reducing exposure means slowing down and reinforcing safe habits.
Operational Controls That Strengthen Winter Safety
- Conduct daily inspections of walkways and ladders
- Assign snow and ice removal responsibilities to specific employees or teams
- Mark known hazard areas with cones or temporary signage
- Audit footwear policies and PPE availability
- Provide refresher safety training focused on winter-specific hazards
Facilities that build winter safety into their routine processes experience fewer injuries and fewer disruptions.
Strengthen Winter Safety with SMS Training
To support your workforce during the winter season, Safety Made Simple offers three targeted, practical courses designed specifically to address slip, trip, and fall hazards:
Walking & Working Surfaces: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
Helps employees recognize hazardous surfaces and apply safe walking practices in all environments.
Three Point Rule: Preventing Slips and Falls
Teaches the proven three-point rule for safely mounting and dismounting equipment, ladders, and elevated surfaces.
Covers proper preparation, winter PPE, hazard recognition, and strategies for safely navigating cold-weather conditions.
These courses are ideal for onboarding, winter kickoff meetings, or mid-season refreshers. Consider these when fatigue and complacency begin to set in to keep your team going home safely!