A workplace injury can happen to anyone, regardless of their experience on the job. With more than 800,000 annual non-fatal injuries, it is important to remember that any job is vulnerable to these injuries. Some jobs are more prone to accidents in the winter months, and require additional precaution. Three job fields are especially prone to these kinds of accidents:
Police, firefighters, and paramedics
In addition to the typical hazards that come with the job, winter roads become an additional threat. Rushing to the scene of an emergency is especially difficult when you add poor road conditions. Ice on the road, narrower lanes, and reckless drivers can all become the cause of a major accident with one of these workers.
Utility workers
Working outdoors in extremely cold weather can quickly take its toll on someone. Even with winter gear, the biting wind can still reach bare skin and cause frostbite in a matter of minutes. When a worker is outside for hours at a time working on electric or water lines, the severe cold can threaten the loss of several fingers or toes.
Construction workers
Construction zones are inherently dangerous, but the winter months do not help the workers’ situation at all. Working in high altitudes can be extremely vulnerable to the high wind speeds that come in winter. Bad sleet and snowstorms can create slick footing conditions and result in a fall that can cause a catastrophic injury or wrongful death.
Stay safe this winter
Even a 20-year employee can fall victim to a work injury caused by winter conditions. If you are someone that works in a job that is vulnerable to the winter, make sure you are taking additional precautions to stay safe while working.