Does anyone have any experience using shoe traction devices to reduce slips/falls in parking lots, walkways, outside the plant areas?  Or have any other best practices ideas regarding this topic?

We have plants in 3 states where snow and ice can be an issue and workers' comp can skyrocket with just one of these types of claims.  I've been researching removable shoe devices like the Yak-Trax and others for possible implementation, but wanted to hear of anyones successes or pitfalls with such devices.

Thanx

---

BS Safety Science, IUP '97

Good Point SAFETY-T-GUY:

I’ve trained in a lot of snow country areas up north, and your right –on, the insurance companies do have

Fun with your claims and rates. EMR ratings would go up..

 

The Best practice medicine is awareness preaching and follow company rules and procedures, have them all Sign off in your training classes.  Kept close with your near misses program,, this will save you with OSHA people.

 

The shoe issues are just that, the employees has to take ownership for being careful, and your company can Issue those shoes but, making them ware them is another issue…

 

Awareness Training:      ""IS BIG""--

Your could have SOME FUN with this and take pictures and gave out some diner tickets for the best style and At your next group safety meeting complement those that do follow your company banner.  

 

If you would like my best practice papers on this, email me.

 

John Gavin Ret Mil

Safety Professional (OSHA) Trainer

 

---

John Gavin Ret Mil
Safety Professional (OSHA) Trainer
A Safety Resource in Training

It is a problem that has no perfect solution.  I have made yak-trax available but they don't get much use.  Here are the minimums:

1.   For in-plant walkways, stairs docks etc.  The base requirement is that no one uses these walking or working surfaces until they are cleared of snow and deiced.  We are a non-union plant so it is everyone's responsibility to clear their work or walking area prior to using it.  (If they are physically unable to do so, they are required to ask for help).  We preach that clearing the walkway is the most important thing of the day, prior to any other task.  Making that happen is always a problem and usually the first snow of the year we have to remind everyone.

2.   For the parking lots and other large areas, you need a snow removal crew and deicing or sanding crew.  On company property, you are responsible to insure the walkway is safe.

We use a lot of ice & snow melter which has some environmental issues but in my mind are required for safety.  When we get a heavy snow, we have to attack the accumulation several times per day if that is what is required to keep the walkways safe.

Hope this helps.

We have 5 plants in 4 different states, all of which see snow and ice every winter.  In our Northeast Operations, where I work, whenever there is a snow / ice event, the maintenance crew is to focus on clearing parking lots and walk-in routes to the different units.  These routes have been identified and are included in in our Slips, Trips, and Falls procedures.  Basically, all unit operators are to use designated walking routes to get to their units at the beginning of each shift.  These are the walking routes that are cleared first.  On our company intranet, we post a conditions report (Green, Yellow, Red) and each condition can specify different levels of PPE or work that is required given the conditions.  When we have ice / snow, we require "Spikeys", which are similar to the yak-trax.  ( http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/surfootgetic.html ).  Every employee working in the plant must wear them during these conditions.  But be careful with these as they create a new hazard inside while walking on tiles.