Safety Information

02
edly. Get inside if signs of either begin to show.
If a co-worker seems to be manifesting signs,
help them get help immediately. Be aware of
others and take care of each other.
PROPER HEAT VENTILATION
If using a non-electric heater, ensure that there
is proper ventilation to let gases like carbon
monoxide escape.
People often use temporary, propane-pow-
ered heating equipment at home and
on the job site, making it easier to nish
projects on time and on budget. In addition
to providing more comfortable working con-
ditions, propane-powered heaters can also
maintain the ambient temperatures neces-
sary for common tasks like drywall installation
or painting. However, like any portable heating
device, propane-powered heaters must be used
and maintained
properly.
WINTER DRIVING
Top o uids, drive slowly and allow additional
time to travel. Pay attention to changing road
conditions.
WEAR GOOD SHOES
Wear proper footwear when tackling winter
weather. A pair of water resistant and insulated
boots with rubber treads is important for winter
safety. Slow your pace and shorten your steps
when navigating snowy/icy walkways.
CLEAR THE PATH
Make sure that walkways, paths, stairs, and
entries are free from snow and ice. Do this as
quickly as possible when a winter storm sets in.
Slips, trips, and falls will decrease dramatically
when the path is clear. On January 4, 2017, Doc-
tors in Germany prescribed a strategy to avoid
slipping on ice: walk like a penguin. Imagine ev-
eryone waddling back and forth like a rookery of
penguins! This is not exactly what the German
trauma surgeons meant. The technique involves
leaning forward so that a person’s center of
gravity is over the front leg rather than divided
evenly between both legs. “When humans walk
normally, body weight is split almost evenly over
both legs, which the surgeons say increases the
risk of a person losing their balance and falling
on slippery surfaces.” It’s a comical visual; how-
ever, slipping on ice is a serious concern during
icy and cold conditions.
SLIP AND FALL STATISTICS
• Falls account for over 8 million hospital
emergency room visits per year, represent-
ing the leading cause of visits (21.3%). Slips
and falls account for over 1 million visits per
year, or 12% of total falls.
• Fall fatalities are nearly equally divided
between men and women. However, more
women will experience a slip-and-fall ac-
cident. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, falls accounted for 5% of the
job-related fatalities for women compared to
11% for men.