If your employees are out on the highways, give them these winter weather travel tips from the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Be careful when driving on bridges and overpasses. Elevated roadways are the first roadways to freeze in winter conditions.
Reduce your speed and increase following distances between vehicles.
A vehicle needs three times more space to stop on slick or icy roads. Visibility is also more difficult in winter weather conditions.
When encountering black ice, reduce your speed by easing off the accelerator rather than braking.
To avoid skidding, take corners very slowly and steer gently and steadily. If you skid, turn the steering into the skid; ease off the accelerator, but do not break suddenly.
If you are stranded or stalled, stay in your vehicle and wait for help. Drivers should carry a cell phone, with a charged battery, in order to call for help. Motorists should also have an emergency kit in the vehicle along with additional warm clothing.
Use headlights during adverse weather and use fog lights in dense fog.
Maintain a safe distance behind snow plows and vehicles that are salting the roads.
Do not travel if temperatures are expected to be extremely cold.
Plan ahead and allow plenty of time to travel – businesses should maintain information on employee driving destinations, driving routes, and estimated time of arrivals. Be patient while driving in winter conditions.
Make sure the vehicle is winterized. Have a mechanic look at the battery, antifreeze, wipers, windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, tire tread, and oil level. Carry a windshield scraper.
Check weather conditions before traveling. Monitor National Weather Service winter storm watches, warnings and advisories.
Always wear your seat belt, and properly restrain children in the back seat of a vehicle.
Do not drink and drive.
(From J.J. Keller’s OSHA Safety Training Newsletter, November 2009)