As temperatures begin to fall, employers often focus their winter safety efforts on obvious seasonal hazards such as snow, ice, and freezing outdoor conditions. A comprehensive winter safety program, however, can address a broader and sometimes counterintuitive range of hazards.
Federal OSHA does not have a comprehensive standard devoted specifically to occupational exposure to cold. That does not mean winter hazards fall outside OSHA’s enforcement authority. Depending on the circumstances, OSHA may rely on the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause or applicable standards governing walking-working surfaces, personal protective equipment, sanitation, and related hazards.
Employers should conduct a job hazard analysis to evaluate hazards at their workplace during work tasks before winter arrives.
