Activities Safeguards for Ice (/Snow) Slips and Falls

Ice is mentioned in over 90% of ice (/snow) slips and falls

Over half of workplace ice slips and falls occurred from 6am to 11am

Many accidents involved vehicles, and exiting vehicles

Identify and deal with high-risk activities

Walking on ice

• Avoid ice - Don't walk on ice unless you have to
• Exercise particular caution from 6am to 11am
• If you must walk on ice/ snow slow down, bend your knees slightly and take shorter strides or shuffle
• Keep hands free and out of pockets
  • Consider warm gloves to allow people to walk with their hands out of their pockets
• Use handrails or other aids where provided
• Allow extra time for your journey
• Exercise extreme caution if carrying loads

The Napo animated video "Cold case" (59 seconds) shows the hazard ice formed at a leaking pipe

This video (49 seconds) shows an animated slip on ice followed by gritting of the icy area

Footwear for ice (and snow)

• Some slip resistant footwear may provide slip resistance on some types of ice
  • Avoid footwear where the tread pattern readily becomes clogged with snow or ice
• The rate my treads website provides advice on the slip-resistance of "winter footwear" and the Maximum Achievable Angle rating
• Ice grippers, such as spikes or studs, may be an effective solution on ice
  • Avoid footwear that readily accumulates snow or ice around the ice gripping devices, where it can become compacted
• Carefully consider the use of the coil or chain type ice grips 
  • One study found "Slips were more frequent when wearing the metal coils"
  • Another study advises "Chains attached to shoes have been found to be dangerous on smooth ice"

• Ice grippers can be slippery on smooth surfaces such as stone, tile and ceramic and must be removed on these surfaces
• If using footwear with retractable spikes, ensure the normal sole has the required slip resistance
• It's important to trial footwear before use to assess the effectiveness of footwear in practice

Vehicles

Clearing snow and ice

"Physiotherapist awarded €1m after slip on icy steps" (January 2014) - "Three yellow 'wet floor' caution signs were also placed on one side of the steps"

• Risk assess the process of clearing snow and ice
  • The risk assessment should include manual handling as well as slips, trip and fall issues
• Consider footwear for snow and ice
• Use the right tools, e.g. snow ploughs etc.
• Try to work from surfaces that have already been cleared

Ice slips can be an important part of Slip Risk Assessment and Prevention

A risk assessment approach to ice slips and falls should consider

1. Weather
2. Activities
3. Locations
4. Communication
5. Sample Dynamic Risk Assessment

See Ice, Snow Further Information