Cold and icy winter months are an especially important time to consider workplace safety precautions. The increased risk of injury due to cold temperatures, ice or snow is indisputable. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), winter weather kills more than twice as many Americans than summer heat. Keeping yourself aware of the increased risk cold weather brings will help as you plan to prevent winter-related injuries and keep yourself and your workers safe.
Vehicular Ice Accident Statistics
If you or others regularly drive during winter months, consider the increased risk of driving in snowy or icy conditions demonstrated by the following statistics:
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Each year, around 900 people are killed and almost 76,000 people are injured in car wrecks during snowfall or sleet.
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24% of weather-related vehicle crashes happen on snowy, slushy or icy roads annually. 15% happen during snowfall or sleet.
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Over 116,000 people in the US are injured and more than 1,300 are killed on snowy, slushy or icy roads every winter.
Other Ice Injury Statistics
Most industries cannot afford to take time off during the winter. And for those industries that work on outdoor projects, the risk of ice related workplace injuries greatly increases. Let’s take a look at some American ice injury statistics:
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1 million Americans are injured due to slip and fall injuries annually. The risk of slip and fall injuries increases dramatically during winter months.
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Slips and falls are the leading cause of lost days from work.
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In 2014, there were 42,480 workplace injuries or illnesses from ice, sleet, or snow that required at least one day off of work as a result.
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82% (or 34,860) of the injuries above, were due to slips or falls on level ground.
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Between 1990 and 2006, approximately 195,000 people in the U.S. were treated in a hospital Emergency Room because of injuries acquired during snow shoveling.
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Between 2006-2010 about 6,600 Americans died from hypothermia and cold exposure.
Powerblanket Winter Safety Solutions
If you or your employees are at risk for acquiring winter-related workplace injuries, it’s important to take certain safety precautions. Luckily Powerblanket has the perfect solution for reducing ice related injuries.
Summerstep Heated Mats
Powerblanket is proud to present the Summerstep ice and snow melting mat. Efficiently keep steps, doorways, and walkways safe and ice-free.
Summerstep heated mats are designed to be left outside all winter long. Simply piece together our attachable mats and create the coverage you need to fit any location. With 2 product lines (industrial snow melting mats and residential snow melting mats) Summerstep has you covered. Our heated mats melt approximately 2 inches of snow per hour while operating. Save yourself from time-consuming, backbreaking snow shoveling and reduce the need for harsh de-icing salts. Add Summerstep to your winter safety precautions and restore your peace of mind every time you set foot outside your door.
Contact Powerblanket today to find the perfect ice injury prevention for your needs at 866.945.4203 or [email protected].
Keep your steps, doorways and walkways safe this winter with Summerstep.
