Dress for the cold and watch each other

The hazard

Winter changes the job overnight. Walkways ice over, days get shorter, roads get slick and heaters move into closed spaces. None of these hazards are new, but they pile up at the same time and change from one morning to the next. A few minutes of planning at the start of each shift keeps small surprises from turning into injuries.

The action

Wear loose layers, keep spare dry socks and gloves, and cover your head, ears and hands. Learn the early signs of hypothermia, like shivering, clumsy hands and confusion, and of frostbite, like numb, pale or waxy skin. Take warm-up breaks, eat and drink something warm, and check on your buddy at each break.