Winter Traction - Why It’s Important Sometimes it feels like winter is always just around the corner. Whether it’s hot or cold today, we all know that slip and fall injuries are a real threat. According to the Maine Department of Labor, the average slip and fall injury costs $48,000 in workers’ compensation claims, and one quarter of these injuries result in an average of 31 lost work days. And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statists, nearly half of all jobs require outdoor work putting roughly 44 million people at risk for a snow-related slip and fall. PSIFs and Injuries To help avoid injury when walking on ice and snow, WorkSafeNB offers these tips. •Walk slowly and deliberately, focused on the path ahead. •Where possible, avoid slippery surfaces, such as wet leaves, icy areas, and snow banks. •Wear appropriate footwear with slip-resistant soles to work, and change into indoor footwear. Ice cleats or grippers that attach to your footwear can provide additional traction. •Use handrails where available. •Make sure entrance areas and stairs are clear of snow and slush. Tracked-in snow and slush often causes slips and falls. •Report slip, trip and fall hazards, as well as any incidents, to your employer. •Implement a safe walking surfaces program (via ice melts, traction devices, specific assessments of trip hazards). If you’re looking for ice cleats you can trust, turn to SureWerx. Thanks to them for helping with this info! Know Your Ice Cleats Midsole: Easiest to use one-size-fits-all solution that provides maximum safety and productivity on ice and snow. Easily rotates to the top of the foot when traction is not needed for walking indoors or driving. Heel Traction Aid: Ideal for drivers, delivery personnel, or anyone operating machinery where a full-coverage aid may interfere with driving capabilities. Comes with a convenient hook and strap with adjustment system providing a quick, secure fit. Light Industrial: Ideal for the worker who occasionally needs additional traction on ice and snow while performing outdoor duties. All-Purpose: Ideal for outdoor workers and those who require more stability and increased traction on ice and snow. All-Purpose Industrial: Enhanced design and an all-round solution for tough industrial work environments. Heavy Duty: Perfect solution for extreme winter work environments for the utmost confidence on ice and snow. SAFETY FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTACT: SAFETYQUESTIONS@FASTENAL.COM OR 1-833-FNL-SAFE
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