WorkSafeBC is calling on employers to be prepared as a cold snap has come to many parts of the province.
“Cold weather can result in significant injuries if proper precautions are not taken,” states Suzana Prpic, Senior Manager of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC.
“Employers must conduct a risk assessment and implement measures to protect outdoor workers from hazards like frostbite and hypothermia.”
WorkSafeBC said frostbite, cold stress, winter driving, and slips trips and falls are they key risks related to winter weather.
They add employers must take reasonable steps to prevent injuries, including managing risks related to changing weather conditions, which requires conducting risk assessments and updating them as conditions change.
“Frontline workers should be actively engaged in risk assessments and the implementation of controls to keep everyone safe,” Prpic said.
According to WorkSafeBC, they’ve accepted 102 claims for injuries related to cold weather in the last five years.
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