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Winter weather slip hazards

Winter snow brings exciting opportunities for outdoor recreation and sports. But if it's not your intent to slide down a hill on skis or glide across the ice on skates, winter can deliver hard landings, injuries and lost work.

Regardless of the efforts to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, parking lots and surrounding streets, people will invariably encounter some slippery surfaces when walking outdoors in the winter. Many cold-weather injuries are the result of falls on ice-covered streets, outdoor parking lots and sidewalks. Getting around on the Headquarters or district complexes in icy conditions calls for planning, caution and a little common sense. Following are some precautionary tips from ITD's Employee Safety and Risk Management office:

Dress warmly and wear boots with nonskid soles (avoid plastic and leather soles).
Keep warm, but make sure you can see and hear what's going on around you.
Try not to carry too much - you need to leave your hands and arms free for better balance.
During the daytime, wear sunglasses to help you see better and avoid hazards. At night, wear bright clothing or reflective gear to be seen.
When entering a building, remove as much snow and water from your boots as possible.
Be prepared to fall and try to avoid using your arms to break your fall. If you fall backward, make a conscious effort to tuck your chin so your head doesn't strike the ground with a full force.
Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles; use the vehicle for support.
Streets, parking lots and sidewalks that have been cleared of snow and ice should still be approached with caution. Look out for "black ice." Dew, fog or water vapor can freeze on cold surfaces and form an extra-thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that can look like a wet spot on the pavement. It often shows up early in the morning or in areas that are shaded from the sun.