Using Rancho Mesa Resources to Prepare Drivers for Winter Weather Conditions

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Temperatures are beginning to drop across the United States, exposing companies to a number of dangerous weather conditions. Depending on where your company performs work, employees will encounter rain, ice, snow, and fog while performing job duties. This is especially dangerous for drivers, who for the coming months, will need to safely navigate the change in weather patterns. Additional training and accident preparedness is essential to keep employees safe behind the wheel. Rancho Mesa has resources available for both training and accident reporting.

Driver Training

The best way to prevent an accident is to properly train your company’s drivers. If a driver knows what obstacles to expect on the road ahead of time, and is properly equipped with the knowledge on how to handle them, the likelihood of an accident occurring can decrease significantly. Before placing any employee behind the wheel, it is a best practice to provide them with adequate training which can be accessed by Rancho Mesa clients through our SafetyOne™ platform.

Comprehensive driver safety training is available through SafetyOne’s Learning Management System in both English and Spanish, and covers the basics of driver safety as well as defensive and distracted driving.

Driver Toolbox Talks

Additionally, 52 driver-specific toolbox talks are available through SafetyOne in both English and Spanish. These toolbox talks can be used as weekly reviews of safe driving practices during the winter months. Available topics that cover winter weather conditions include:

• Driving in Fog & Low Light Conditions for Company Drivers

• Driving in High Winds for Company Drivers

• Proper Use of Headlights and Signals for Company Drivers

• Speed Management for Company Drivers

• Weather-Related Driving Hazards for Company Drivers

Subscribe to Rancho Mesa’s free weekly Driver Safety toolbox talk emails to start receiving driver safety meeting content directly to your inbox each week.

Vehicle Accident Report

Even with adequate training and preparedness, accidents may still occur. In the event of an accident, Rancho Mesa has resources available to help clients address the issue.

An Automobile Accident Report is available through SafetyOne. The report outlines the steps an employee should take once they have been involved in an accident, and allows the employee to record important information including vehicle information, injuries, witnesses, and photos.

Injuries caused by auto accidents can also be recorded in a company’s OSHA 300 logs for end-of-year reporting using the RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal.

Adequate training can help to reduce accidents for company drivers when weather conditions like snow, rain, or fog make driving difficult. If an accident does occur, employees should be prepared to handle and report the situation. Rancho Mesa’s resources streamline both training and reporting to ensure a safer winter season for our clients. To learn more about training and reporting resources, reach out to your client technology contact.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Slip and Fall Preparedness

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

With winter fast approaching, it’s important that employees are prepared to handle potential hazards caused by the change in weather. Slip and fall prevention is essential for any businesses operating in areas where employees will encounter rain, ice, and snow during the workday.

Wet or icy surfaces and snow build-up can increase the likelihood of slip and fall accidents. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to spot ice that has formed on walkways, stairs and building entrances. Workers may unknowingly step on dangerously slick spots, and snow build-up on pathways can obscure tripping hazards like curbs or cracks in the sidewalk.

One way to raise employee awareness all winter long is through a safety campaign. Regular safety reminders and updates can help keep slip and fall prevention on an employee’s radar, until temperatures warm up again.

Employers can communicate potential hazards to their team through physical signage, email alerts, and proper safety training. Signage can be posted in employee common areas, as well as in places where snow or ice may accumulate, alerting workers to the potential hazards around them. Safety trainings should be assigned to team members who will be working in these winter conditions. Regular email reminders should also be sent to team members to caution against dangerous behaviors.

There are a number of safety tips that employers can provide to their staff members either in a training or through email reminders. Here are a few examples:

Proper Footwear: Boots with enough tread or ice cleats should be worn when working outside in winter conditions.

Walk Carefully: Adjust your gate when walking on a slippery area. Take slow, small steps and pay attention to the ground in front of you.

Precipitation: Stay informed about current weather expectations. Be aware of the potential for rain or snow before heading to work each day.

Choose a Safe Route: Follow marked routes to building entrances. Obey signage and don’t take short cuts because they could be dangerous.

Keep Your Hands Free: Make sure your hands and arms are free to help keep you stable while walking. Use bags or backpacks to free up your arms and avoid carrying heavy loads long distances.

Know How to Fall: Knowing how to brace yourself after a fall can reduce the risk of injury. Stay informed on how to protect your body in case things go wrong.

Employers should always make sure their staff are educated about the specific risks of winter weather. Proper training should be provided on adequate footwear, how to walk safely on icy surfaces, and how to lessen or avoid injury if a fall does occur.

Preventing slips and falls requires a proactive approach from both employers and employees. Building awareness in the workplace can reduce the risk of serious injuries and foster a culture of safety in the workplace.

Rancho Mesa has a variety of toolbox talks available through the SafetyOne™ platform that can be utilized in order to prepare them for winter-related hazards. If you have questions about the available safety trainings, contact your Client Technology Coordinator.