Working in Winter

Alberta’s variable and unpredictable weather can create challenging working conditions. With winter weather swinging from day to day, hazardous conditions arise. Employers are responsible for protecting workers and other personnel at work sites from hazardous conditions. Additionally, workers have the responsibility for protecting themselves and others as much as is reasonable possible. With the cold snap we have looming for next week, remember to consider practices and procedures for working in hazardous winter conditions.

Working in winter can cause a number of hazardous conditions – working in the cold, hazardous road conditions, limited daylight hours, etc. Take into account the following hazardous conditions and how to address them:Keep walkways, driveways, parking areas and loading docks clear of snow and ice, and well lit.

• Keep shovels and de-icer available in the areas so they can be kept up.
• Ensure that heating and ventilation systems are in good working order.
• Check the weather forecast. Consider sending workers home early if conditions are deteriorating or offering work-from-home options if possible to eliminate the need for commuting.

Working Outside

In addition to the above, environmental and work site conditions need to be carefully considered to ensure hazards are addressed and mitigated as much as possible:

• Shortened daylight hours increase the need for adequate lighting in work areas, walkways and parking areas.
• Working at heights poses a higher risk in winter. Snow and ice can destabilize supports, pose slipping hazards, and add weight to roofs and raised surfaces.
• Give workers a period of time to adjust to the changing conditions before assigning a full work schedule.
• Provide enclosures and heating systems wherever possible.
• Ensure more frequent breaks are being taken to warm up, ensure work periods between breaks are an appropriate length for the current conditions.
• Ensure workers who are driving in winter conditions have an emergency supply kit available in the vehicle, which includes essentials such as a blanket, water, and shovel.
• Eliminate the need for workers to be working alone as much as possible.
• Provide training for workers performing tasks outside to recognize the signs and symptoms of overexposure, and have a medical response plan and equipment in place.
• Wear appropriate clothing – dress in layers, with the outermost layer being weatherproof, wear appropriate footwear with adequate insulation and tread.

For more information: Working Safely in the Heat and Cold

What are your passions?

Family Time, Cooking, Travelling

What are your hobbies?

Reading, Random Crafting

Three words to describe you?

Organized, Loyal, Funny

What was your first job?

A&W Cashier

Fun fact or Talents?

I like to travel around to different places to see Concerts/Festivals! (Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Seattle, Phoenix, Vancouver)

Have you ever met anyone famous?

Luke Bryan twice, Dierks Bentley, Aaron Pritchett, Vince Vaughn once shopped at the grocery store that I worked at!

If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be?

Learn a new language

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?

Maui

Got any phobias?

Birds!

If you won the lottery what is the first thing you would buy?

A big plot of land to build a big house on

What are your pet peeves?

When people don’t clean up after themselves

Kristen came to Kasa after her maternity leave and we were so lucky to have her! She is adding to her family and will be on maternity leave again to start the New Year. Previously she was an HSE specialist with Safeway/Sobey’s, although if you ask anyone it’s like she has alwasys been a member of the Kasa team. Kristen will be dearly missed over the next year and many of us are having trouble letting her go! We wish Kristen all the best during her time off and can’t wait to meet the newest addition to the family.

As much as we do not want to face it, summer is slowly coming to an end. This means the school year is starting back up! Whether you have kids that are going to school or not, this affects everyone in our communities. School means increased traffic, school buses loading and unloading their passengers, kids on bikes hurrying to beat the school bell, rushed parents trying to get to drop-off and then hurry to work. There is a reason we have lower speed limits in school zones, and these areas should draw your increased attention to your surroundings.

Most schools have a set drop-off and pick-up procedures in place for the school year. For the sake of the kids and other parents, become familiar with those procedures and ask if you are unsure. The following rules apply to all school zones:

• Double parking is prohibited;
• For the safety of all kids and drivers, do not load or unload kids across the street from the school unless there are drop-off locations located in that area;
• Carpooling is not only helpful for our environment, but it also helps alleviate the high volume of traffic around the school;
• No passing in school or playground zones;
• Never pass a stopped bus in a school zone. Some school buses may have yellow or red flashing lights or an extended stop arm, but not all busses may have these features;
• Typically, school zones are 30km/hr but always look and read the posted limit for the specific times that speed limit is in effect. If no signs are posted, drive slowly and cautiously;
• Look for pedestrian crosswalks. Many schools use school patrol officers or crossing guards in high-visibility vests, with stop signs to help assist pedestrians and drivers. Follow their signals if you are approaching a patrolled crosswalk;
• Do not block a crosswalk when you are stopped. If pedestrians have to go around your vehicle, you are putting them in danger by having them navigate around your vehicle into potentially oncoming traffic;
• Always stop when flashers are blinking or when pedestrians are at a crosswalk.

When you are sharing a road with young pedestrians, it is important to remember that kids can often get excited or nervous for the new school year and their minds may not be focused on the hazards of the road. As a driver you, need to be prepared to stop suddenly.

If a school bus stops in front of you, provide the bus with plenty of space so kids can enter or exit the bus safely. Extra caution should be given around school buses, as children are unpredictable and may not know the hazards or risks of the road yet!

While the weather remains nice, many kids may be on bicycles, requiring drivers to use extra caution on the roads. When you are turning left and a bicyclist is approaching, wait for the rider to pass; if you are attempting a right turn and a bicyclist is approaching either behind you or on the road you are turning onto, again wait for the rider to pass. It is also important to be scanning for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.

The transition from summer months into the school year bring a variety of hazards, but with the risks that they present all drivers should be using extra attention and care to the hazards of the roads, especially around school and playground zones.