Winter injuries: Effective training provides drivers with safe practices

You probably spend a lot of time training your drivers to watch out for snow, ice, and bad weather in winter. Those are important lessons, but the fact is that most winter-related injuries happen while your vehicles are stopped. While making deliveries or providing services in winter, drivers are more often susceptible to slips and falls and injuries that occur simply because they are not trained to effectively identify causes and employ safe practices.

Here are the top seven causes of winter-related injuries that we’ve identified and some tips for preventing them:

1. Rushing does not save time and it can easily lead to slips and injuries on icy pavement and other surfaces. Taking your time and treading lightly are sure methods for preventing these accidents from occurring.
2. Distractions aren’t just a hazard while driving. They’re a common cause of slips, trips, and falls, and winter weather increases this risk. Pay extra close attention.
3. Improper lifting techniques, especially during the high delivery volume holiday season, can easily lead to back injuries. Use proven techniques to lift packages safely.
4. Repetitive strain, which can lead to injuries while handling larger packages and higher delivery volumes, can be avoided with regular stretching.
5. Getting in and out of vehicles is always hazardous and even more so during winter. Always maintain three points of contact (both feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot) when getting in and out of the vehicle and watch for icy or slippery surfaces.
6. Cold muscles are more susceptible to injury. Take a few minutes to stretch and warm up before starting strenuous activity, especially in cold weather.
7. Lift gate operation requires safe practice. If the delivery requires a lift gate, make sure drivers can confidently and correctly operate it before going out with a load.

Every employee you have can stay safe and injury-free this winter by taking a few simple cost-free steps. For example, because most injuries are caused by rushing and distraction, and winter weather increases the risk, staying in control by staying focused and taking your time allows you to complete tasks safely. That includes proactively looking out for winter hazards like icy patches.

Other steps that will result in fewer winter related injuries include maintaining a good grip with both hands while lifting a package or exiting a vehicle. Walking a delivery path in advance, warming up before physical activity, and wearing weather-appropriate clothing can all go a long way toward preventing injuries.

Following are 5 S.T.E.P.S. to winter driving safety. A free, printable poster outlines the five simple steps every truck driver can take to stay safe and injury-free this winter. Combining all the first letters spells “STEPS.” The following tips are based on ITI’s course on the same topic.

1. Stay in control. Most injuries are caused by rushing and distraction, and winter weather increases the risk. Staying in control means staying focused and taking time to complete a task safely.
2. Take care and look. Stay alert to stay safe. Proactively look out for winter hazards like icy patches, slippery tiles, and falling icicles.
3. Ensure a good grip. Whether lifting a package, climbing a ladder, or exiting a vehicle, maintaining a good grip with both hands will help prevent falls and dropped cargo.
4. Plan for success. Simple steps like walking a delivery path in advance, warming up before physical activity, and wearing weather-appropriate clothing can help you plan for success and prevent injuries.
5. Strains mean pain. If an activity causes strain on the joints or muscles, it is more likely to lead to injury. If you can, try to warm up first.

Winter safety courses as part of a fleet training can also be used to effectively limit injuries and cargo damage. For example, courses are available in training libraries that cover winter driving and hazards associated with operating light duty vehicles and automobiles, focused on how to deal with multiple winter conditions and prepare yourself and vehicles for winter driving.

These lessons teach drivers about some of the conditions they may encounter while driving and how to prevent injuries when out of the vehicle, as well as how to prepare themselves and their vehicles to navigate and operate in winter conditions, including those related to weather, traffic, and other challenges. Upon completion, the learner will be able to deal with many of the issues they may face while making deliveries during the winter season. To check your winter safety knowledge, take ITI’s free winter driving safety quiz.

Most winter injuries to drivers are preventable with training in injury prevention habits. While the holiday season is past, winter is far from over in many parts of the country. Taking the time now to address injury prevention with effective winter training can save time, money, and pain (literally) for years to come.

Thom Schoenborn is the Vice President of Marketing with Instructional Technologies, Inc. (ITI), the providers of online training solutions for trucking, transportation, and logistics companies that are based on the principles of mastery learning, accurate and automated record keeping, and up-to-date information. For more information, visit instructiontech.net.