Winter Health & Safety – Plan for a Safe Winter Season

January 16, 2012

Winter is officially upon us! While the winter season can be filled with joy and excitement, it is also a time to reacquaint ourselves with some seasonal health and safety concerns. Some of these issues may be work related, but many of them are off the job health and safety concerns as well. For example, did you know that:

• Snow shoveling may not only cause muscle aches; it is also responsible for a high number of heart attacks
• The highest amount of fires and related fatalities occur during November to January
• The majority of fire deaths occur where smoke detectors are missing or non-functional
• Carbon monoxide poisoning is far more likely during the winter months
• Many drivers fail to prepare their car for winter conditions until after that first major snow storm
• Flu shots and precautionary measures are an excellent defense against the seasonal bug

Take the time to review what might concern you and others you know; post the information on your safety bulletin board, raise it at your Joint Health and Safety meeting, spread the information to family and friends, and above all, have a healthy and safe winter season!