❄ Winter Work Injury Awareness: Staying Safe on Icy Walkways & Roadways, And During Snow Removal By The Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC

Winter in Ohio has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re enjoying an unseasonably warm morning, and the next you’re doing an involuntary triple-axel in the employee parking lot like you're auditioning for the Winter Olympics. As fun as that sounds (for everyone else watching), workplace winter hazards are no joke and they’re one of the most common causes of injuries we see this time of year.  And yes a fall in an employer controlled parking lot is covered by workers’ compensation, but we don’t want your business like that. 

So let’s talk safety. Specifically: icy walkways and snow-removal back strains—two Ohio winter classics.

 ❄  1. The Frozen Minefield: Icy Walkways

Ohioans know that ice is a master of disguise. Sometimes it’s shiny and obvious. Other times it’s that sneaky “black ice” that gives you no warning at all before your feet declare independence from the rest of your body.

 Tips for safer steps:

✔ Take it slow. This isn’t the time for power-walking into work.
✔ Wear shoes with real traction. Dress shoes on ice? Let’s not.
✔ Use handrails. They’re not just decorative.
✔ Walk like a penguin. Yes, really. Short steps + center of gravity over your feet = fewer falls.
✔ Report slick areas immediately. Your workplace should address hazards right away—salt, sand, or other treatments.

If you do fall, remember this: falling on ice doesn’t make you clumsy it makes you human in Ohio. Report that fall right away, no claim has ever gone awry due to early reporting. In fact the system looks at how soon you report it on whether to believe you or not. 

 ❄  2. Snow Removal: A Workout You Didn’t Ask For

Whether you’re shoveling a walkway at work or clearing snow as part of your job, winter often turns employees into temporary athletes. Unfortunately, most of us didn’t warm up, stretch, or emotionally prepare for the experience—and that’s why we see back strains, shoulder injuries, and overexertion claims each winter.

 Tips to save your back (and your dignity):

✔ Push the snow instead of lifting it when possible.
✔ Lift with your legs, not your back. Your spine will thank you.
✔ Take breaks. Snow is patient. It isn’t going anywhere.
✔ Use ergonomic tools when available—lightweight shovels, snow pushers, or powered equipment.
✔ Dress properly. Muscles strain more easily when cold.

And if you do tweak something? Don’t ignore it. Pain that starts with “I’m sure it’s nothing” often leads to “I probably shouldn’t have ignored that.” Go get checked out.  No claim I have handled has been denied for getting checked out on the day of the injury. 


   ❄  3. Winter Driving Tips: Stay Safe on the Job

Many Ohio workers drive as part of their job—sales staff, delivery drivers, home health aides, utility workers, and countless others. Even commuting through or to the company property (like a slick lot or worksite) can present risks.

Winter driving is an entirely different sport, so here are key reminders:

Smart driving tips:

✔ Slow everything down—speed, braking, turning. Ice doesn’t negotiate.
✔ Increase following distance. At least 6 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
✔ Clear ALL snow from your vehicle. Roof avalanches are not a fun surprise.
✔ Avoid sudden braking. Instead, ease off the gas and gently apply brakes.
✔ Use headlights in snow or overcast conditions. Visibility saves lives.
✔ Watch for black ice on bridges and shaded roadways.
✔ If you skid, steer into the skid. Panicking = spinning.
✔ Make sure your vehicle is winter-ready:

Good tires with proper tread

Adequate windshield washer fluid

Working wipers

Emergency kit (blanket, flashlight, scraper, etc.)

And yes—winter driving injuries can be work injuries, but be extra careful, because most people are not covered going to and from work. 

If driving is part of your job duties, injuries from winter road hazards may qualify for workers’ compensation in Ohio. But we don’t want you to test that out and we don’t want your business if you don’t need to be our client. 

❄  4. If You Get Hurt at Work—Know Your Rights

Under Ohio Workers’ Compensation law, winter injuries are just as compensable as injuries in any other season. This includes:

Falls on icy work premises or parking lots

Back strains from snow removal

Injuries while driving for work

Aggravation of existing conditions due to slip, strain, or impact

Snow blower/equipment mishaps

If an injury happens, get medical care, report it promptly, and consider contacting an experienced Ohio Workers’ Compensation attorney.

(We know a guy, three decades of experience and teens of thousands of hearings of experience)

❄  Final Thought

Winter in Ohio is unpredictable but your safety doesn’t have to be. A little extra caution goes a long way in preventing injuries and keeping everyone safe, warm, and upright.

If a winter work injury occurs, The Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC is ready to help guide you through the workers’ compensation process.