Ep. 566 Staying Ahead of Winter Hazards: A Guide to Slip and Fall Prevention

Rancho Mesa’s Alyssa Burley and Client Technology Specialist, Brenda Colby sit down to discuss winter weather and how it can increase risk of slips, trips, and falls.

Show Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Rancho Mesa's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Alyssa Burley

Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brenda Colby

Editor: Jadyn Brandt

Music: "Home" by JHS Pedals, “Breaking News Intro” by nem0production

© Copyright 2025. Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transcript

Alyssa Burley: You’re listening to Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, where each week we break down complex insurance and safety topics to help your business thrive.  I’m your host, Alyssa Burley, and I’m joined by Brenda Colby, Client Technology Specialist with Rancho Mesa, and we’re going to discuss a timely issue, winter weather.

Brenda, welcome to the show.

Brenda Colby: Happy to be here, Alyssa.

AB: So temperatures are finally dropping here in San Diego, and all across the United States, we're seeing more rain, snow, and fog. And with that comes an increased risk of slip, trips, and falls.

So Brenda, how dangerous are these winter hazards?

BC: So as snow, ice, and wet conditions start to build up, even routine places like parking lots, stairways, and office lobbies can become hidden hazards. And this isn't a small issue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 865 fatalities from slips, trips, and falls in 2022. Everyone is affected, whether you're an office worker walking in from the parking lot or part of a construction crew working outdoors.

AB: Yes, these conditions can affect everyone, even us in San Diego.

Now, winter brings a whole new set of risks that employees might not expect. What should they look out for?

BC: Outdoors, you've got snow and ice buildup on walkways, parking lots, stairs, and loading docks. And indoors, you might see water or snow tracked in from outside that creates slippery surfaces. And on top of that, with shorter days, people may be arriving or leaving work in the dark, which makes it harder to see hazards before they step into them.

AB: Yeah, and there's definitely multiple layers to the problem of slips and falls. The environment, the conditions, and visibility all change at once. And employees need to be ready for that shift. And that's where awareness comes in. Reminding employees of the hazards is one of the best ways to prevent injuries.

BC: Right. And weekly safety trainings are a great tool for this, especially during winter. Talking about real hazards, reviewing how to walk safely on slick surfaces, and reminding teams, what to watch out for go a long way.

And Ranch Mesa's SafetyOne platform has a number of toolbox talk trainings that can be used to instruct employees on safe behavior, including cold weather, dressing for winter work, effects of weather, slips, trips and falls, snow removal, winter lifting hazards, weather-related driving hazards, weather awareness for landscape contractors or tree care companies, and many others.

Email reminders can help too. On days when the weather is particularly extreme, sending a quick alert via the SafetyOne mobile app about icy conditions or heavy snow helps keep safety top of mind. And sometimes people just need a little nudge to slow down and pay attention.

AB: Agreed. What else can employers do to improve safety during winter?

BC: Well, employers should keep work areas well lit so hazards are easy to spot, especially during dark mornings and evenings. Posting signage around areas where snow, ice, or rain tend to accumulate is another simple but effective step.

And let's not forget about proper footwear. Requiring slip-resistant shoes can significantly reduce incidents especially for workers who spend a lot of time outdoors or walk in-between buildings.

AB: So when it comes down to it, it sounds like preventing slips, trips and falls during the winter really depends on consistent safety practices.

BC: Exactly. With awareness, preparation and a proactive safety culture, both employers and employees can reduce accidents and keep workplaces safe, productive, and injury-free all winter long.

AB: So, Brenda, if listeners have questions about using our Safety One platform for slip-and-fall prevention training, what's the best way to get in touch with you?

BC: As always, clients can contact me at bcolby@ranchomesa.com or call me directly at (619) 486-6562.

AB: Brenda, thank you for joining me in StudioOne.

BC: Thanks for having me.

AB: Thanks for tuning in to our latest episode produced by StudioOne. If you enjoyed what you heard, please share this episode and subscribe. For more insights like this, visit us at ranchomesa.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.