Why Do Winter Injuries Happen?
You spend a lot of time training drivers to watch out for snow, ice and bad weather in winter. But believe it or not, most winter-related injuries happen while the vehicle is stopped – slipping on an icy patch, tripping on a sidewalk curb that's hidden by the snow, or overexerting cold muscles without warming up first.
Our printable poster covers the top 7 causes of winter-related injuries and include tips on how to prevent them.
Printable Poster: Top 7 Causes of Out-of-Vehicle Injuries
So if highway crashes aren't the biggest cause of injuries, what is? Our handy infographic covers the top 7 causes of out-of-vehicle injuries, including tips on how to prevent them. They are:
1. Rushing.
Rushing does not save time! It can, however, lead to slips and injuries on icy pavement and wet tiles.
2. Distractions.
Distractions aren't just a hazard while driving. They're a common cause of slips, trips and falls. Winter increases this risk.
3. Improper Lifting.
The holiday season means higher delivery volumes and bigger packages. Proper lifting technique can prevent back injuries. It's not worth the risk!
4. Repetitive Strain.
You're probably extra busy this time of year! When performing repetitive movements, make sure to stretch regularly to give your muscles and joints a break.
5. Getting In and Out.
Always maintain 3 points of contact (both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot) when getting in and out of the vehicle. Watch for icy or slippery surfaces!
6. Cold Muscles.
Cold muscles are more susceptible to injury. Take a few minutes to stretch and warm up your muscles before starting strenuous activity, especially in cold weather.
7. Lift Gate.
If your job requires you to use a lift gate, make sure you can confidently operate it before going out on a job. Never try to fix a broken lift gate! Call maintenance instead.
Print out this infographic for your next OSHA driver training session, post a copy in your warehouse or break rooms, upload it to your driver portal, or share it with drivers via email! By training drivers in good injury prevention habits now, you can save a lot of time, money and pain (literally!) this winter and for years to come.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION
Get more injury prevention training ideas
Download our Ultimate Training Guide to Preventing Out-of-Vehicle Injuries for practical tips to reduce injuries and workers' comp claims. They're quick and easy to implement, and most of them won't cost you a penny!
