b"Winter Weatherpolicies. Employers should also implement an Working Safely in Cold Weather effective maintenance program for all vehicles and mechanized equipment that workers are required to operate. Crashes can be avoided. Learn more at: Winter weather presents hazards including slipperyMotor Vehicle Safety (OSHA Safety and Health roads/surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold.Topics Page). Employers must prevent illnesses, injuries, orEmployers should ensure properly trained workers' fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplacesinspect the following vehicle systems to determine if impacted by winter weather.they are working properly: OSHA and National Oceanic and AtmosphericBrakes: Brakes should provide even and balanced braking. Administration (NOAA) are working together on aAlso check that brake fluid is at the proper level. public education effort aimed at improving the wayCooling System: Ensure a proper mixture of 50/50 people prepare for and respond to severe weather.antifreeze and water in the cooling system at the proper This page is designed to help businesses and theirlevel. workers prepare for winter weather, and to provideElectrical System: Check the ignition system and make information about hazards that workers may facesure that the battery is fully charged and that the during and after winter storms.connections are clean. Check that the alternator belt is in good condition with proper tension. Engine: Inspect all engine systems. Hazards/PrecautionsExhaust System: Check exhaust for leaks and that all In addition to cold stress, there are other winterclamps and hangers are snug. weather related hazards that workers may be exposedTires: Check for proper tread depth and no signs of to when performing tasks such as driving in the snow,damage or uneven wear. Check for proper tire inflation. removing snow from rooftops, and working nearOil: Check that oil is at proper level. downed or damaged power lines.Visibility Systems: Inspect all exterior lights, defrosters Winter Driving(windshield and rear window), and wipers. Install winter windshield wipers.Work Zone Traffic SafetyAn emergency kit with the following items is Stranded in a Vehiclerecommended in vehicles:Shoveling SnowCellphone or two-way radio Using Powered Equipment like Snow BlowersWindshield ice scraper Snow brush Clearing Snow from Roofs and Working atFlashlight with extra batteries HeightsShovel Preventing Slips on Snow and IceTow chain Traction aids (bag of sand or cat litter) Repairing Downed or Damaged Power LinesEmergency flares Working Near Downed or Damaged Power LinesJumper cables Snacks Removing Downed TreesWater Road maps Winter DrivingBlankets, change of clothes Although employers cannot control roadway conditions, they can promote safe driving behavior byWork Zone Traffic Safety ensuring workers: recognize the hazards of winterWorkers being struck by vehicles or mobile weather driving, for example, driving on snow/iceequipment lead to many work zone fatalities or covered roads; are properly trained for driving ininjuries annually. Drivers may skid, or lose control winter weather conditions; and are licensed (asof their vehicles more easily when driving on snow applicable) for the vehicles they operate. Forand/or ice covered roads. It is therefore, important to information about driving safely during the winter,properly set up work zones with the traffic controls visit OSHA's Safe Winter Driving page.identified by signs, cones, barrels, and barriers, to protect workers. Workers exposed to vehicular Employers should set and enforce driver safety traffic should wear the appropriate high visibility(continued to page 7) 6"