# Presentation: 876231

## Winter Safety

**Notes:**
This presentation is being provided to you by the Morristown HS&E department. Our intent is to provide quarterly safety training topics to our Administrative Groups for the purpose of increasing safety awareness and improving safety performance.

The goal of this topic is to increase everyone's awareness on the importance of Winter Safety both on and off the job. 

Any questions can be directed to Joe Schwed, Supervisor, Safety and Loss Prevention, 973-455-4270.

We welcome your feedback and applaud your efforts by taking this step to increasing your team's safety awareness.

## Introduction

- _Purpose_:

- To increase individual’s safety awareness level by providing information that will encourage the employee to change their behavior and decrease the chance for an unpleasant event.

- The **No. 1** cause of winter driving accidents is
**driving too fast.**
- Motor Vehicle Accidents are the **No. 1** cause of death in winter storms

**Notes:**
We want our employees to have a safe and enjoyable winter season.  Here are some statistics you may want to share with your team.

Motor Vehicle Accidents (in general): EVERYDAY!
    38% of all motor vehicle accidents occur during winter driving.
    115 people die in a motor vehicle accident (like a DC-9 airplane
     crashing)
    One person is killed in a MVA every 13 minutes 
     10 males; 35 females; 10 children - Killed in motor vehicle crashes

Everyday !!	- Economic cost to society $414 million

## Prepare YOUR Vehicle for the Winter

- Winterize your car
- Check antifreeze, defroster, emergency signals, heater, lights, oil, tires, windshield washer fluid, and wiper blades
- Have emergency supplies in your car
- Blanket, jumper cables, first aid kit, flashlight, ice scraper, matches and a candle, sand/gravel, small shovel and a cellular phone

**Notes:**
Safe winter driving begins before you get into your vehicle.  Both you and your vehicle must be properly prepared for the additional hazards that winter can create to reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.

Additional Points
Winterize your car - battery, brakes, exhaust system, thermostat

Emergency Kit - extra batteries, snow brush, traction mats, tire chains (if allowed), candy bar 

## Before You Drive

*Prior to driving in a winter storm:*
- Let your car warm up for a few minutes
- Clean the entire car before you begin to drive.
- Make sure all lights work and are clear of ice and/or snow.
- Clean ice and snow off your windshield wiper blades.
- Check horn, adjust mirrors, test brakes.

***Do this BEFORE you leave home and/or the office***

**Notes:**
Before you put into drive - take a few minutes to do some of these.  You will be better in the long run.
It is nicer to get into a warm car vs. a freezing cold one.  Warm it up!
Ever see the “genius” driving down the road with a small area cleared on the windshield?  You are not one, right?
Take a extra few minutes to get the car cleaned off, you’ll be glad you did.
Don’t forget the windshield wiper blades - they can freeze and will not do a good job of clearing falling snow or rain.

These activities should be done before you leave your house of the office.

## Maintain SPACE

**peed** - The No. 1 cause of winter driving accidents is driving to fast.
**atience** and courtesy save lives.
**wareness** of other vehicles and your environment is essential.
**oncentration** - The increased hazards of winter driving make this important.
**xit** - Always leave yourself an out.

**Notes:**
Driving safety begins with your awareness of your vehicle, the conditions of the road, and other drivers.  The most common accidents happen during rear-end collisions, at a intersections and while backing the vehicle.  The key to preventing accidents is SPACE.
Speed - The faster you drive, the less reaction time you have.  Posted limits are for dry, clear conditions.  Adjust driving speed for the conditions.
Patience - Keep your emotions under control.  Don’t allow the actions of other drivers to cause you to act in a reckless or unprofessional manner.  Aggressive driving usually only gains a minute or two - but it also increases your odds of being involved in an accident.
Awareness - Check your mirrors often - about every 5 seconds.  Be aware of what is happening off the road - sleigh riders, children playing, people clearing driveways, and snowmobiles.
Concentration - Don’t get distracted.  Activities to avoid while driving are using a cell phone, reading a map, eating, drinking, putting on makeup or writing notes.
Exit - Leave yourself plenty of room between you and other vehicles.

## Safe Driving Skills

- Following Distance
- Normal (Dry Road) Driving  - 3 seconds
- Winter Driving - 6 or more seconds
- Stopping Distance
- Rain - 50% more than dry
- Snow - 2x normal stopping distance
- Ice - 3x normal stopping distance
- Braking
- Gently tap and release brake pedal in a pumping motion
- Vehicles with ABS/disk brakes should apply steady, gentle pressure to the pedal - *do not pump brakes.*

**Notes:**
During normal conditions you should allow at least 3 seconds distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

Road conditions can affect the distance it takes for your car to come to a full stop.  Snow and ice will require you to allow three times the normal stopping distance.

Avoid panicking or applying hard pressure to the brake pedal.  This could lock your brakes and cause you to skid.  You can skid with ABS.  If you have never experienced how ABS works try to skid in an open parking lot.

Don’t brake while taking a curve unless it is absolutely necessary.  Slow down before you get to the curve.

## Safe Driving Skills

- Skids
- Front/rear wheel drive - _Steer in the direction of skid_
- Rear wheel drive - remove foot from accelerator
- Front wheel drive - continue to apply steady pressure on the accelerator
- As the vehicle comes out of the skid, straighten wheels or steer slightly in the opposite direction
- When Stuck
- Watch out for other cars!
- Shovel the snow from the front & back of all wheels
- Try to ease out without spinning the wheels
- If this does not work try to rock the vehicle by shifting between forward and reverse.
- If all else fails - call for help!

***Cars are expendable, LIVES are not!***

**Notes:**
Many skids can be prevented by steering steadily, avioding abrupt changes in direction, making lane changes gradually, and braking slowly.  Skids happen fast, so you need to act quickly and steadily.

Even if you follow safe driving skills, you could still become stuck in snow. 

Realize that other vehicles may get stuck the same way you did, therefore, watch out as another vehicle could crash into yours!

If you can’t get out - call for help.

## Let’s Talk about the COLD

- Frostbite - Body tissues may freeze when skin is exposed to extreme cold or touches a very cold object.
- Most susceptible body parts include nose, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes
- Symptoms
- Feel extremely cold, numb and possibly tingly
- White or grayish yellow glossy skin, possible blisters
- Prevention
- Keep Moving, take extra care if it’s wet or windy outdoors
- Wear warm, loose, layered clothing covering your feet, hands, face and head
- If you are wet, uncomfortably cold or have numb fingers or toes get to a warm area and into warm, dry clothes or blankets
- Treatment
- Warm frozen part with blankets or warm (not hot) water
- Don’t rub the body part, drink caffeine, or break blisters
- Don’t warm with a hot stove, heat lamp, or hot water bottle
- Exercise warmed body part (but stay off frostbitten feet)
- Get medical attention

**Notes:**
This slide talks about frostbite, symptoms, prevention and treatment.

## The Scoop About Snow Shoveling

- Shoveling snow can be dangerous.  The following tips can help you get a
- handle on safe shoveling:
- Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful.  If you have a history of heart trouble, do not shovel without a doctor's permission.
- Take it slow! Shoveling (like lifting weights) can raise your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically; so pace yourself. Be sure to stretch out and warm up before taking on the task.
- Try to shovel fresh snow.  Freshly fallen, powdery snow is easier to shovel than the wet, packed-down variety.
- Push the snow as you shovel. It's easier on your back than lifting the snow out of the way.
- Don't pick up too much at once. Use a small shovel, or fill only one-fourth or one-half of a large one.
- Lift with your legs [bent], not your back. Keep your back straight. By bending and "sitting" into the movement, you'll keep your spine upright and less stressed. Your shoulders, torso and thighs can do the work for you.
- Do not work to the point of exhaustion. If you run out of breath, take a break. If you feel tightness in your chest, stop immediately.
- Dress warmly. Remember that extremities, such as the nose, ears, hands and feet, need extra attention during winter's cold. Wear a turtleneck sweater, cap, scarf, face protection, mittens, wool socks and waterproof boots.

**Notes:**
Do you like to shovel snow?  If so, prepare yourself.  Take frequent breaks.  

Other options:
Wait until the young kids come around and have them do it
Have a professional plow your driveway/walkway
Use a snow blower/thrower
Wait until it melts

## Other Winter considerations

_**Clothing**__** **_
- Wear a hat!
- Wear gloves!
- Wear shoes with good traction!
- Layer your clothes!

_**Sports**_
- Check Equipment
- Wear a helmet
- Wear goggles
- Stay in Pairs

_**Child Safety**_
- Be aware of the time spent outside
- Check sleigh path
- Dress children in layers
- Have hot cocoa on hand

_**Home Safety**_
- Check electrical wiring
- Check furnace/wood stove
- Have chimney cleaned
- Review Snow Blower manual
- Keep a bag of salt in garage

## Safety on Duty

- Wear the right shoes for the type of weather
- If you are going to travel do not park in the middle of a lots - park towards a corner
- Be Alert for Unsafe road/sidewalk conditions