From The Iowa County magazine August 2019 issue

Winter Walking Challenges: A Study to Reduce Workplace Injuries

Q: What is the Study?

In the fall of 2019, the 12 members of Northwest Iowa based SHIELD safety consortium, which consists of four counties, seven cities and one public utility, decided to undertake a new study to reduce workplace slips and falls during the upcoming winter season.

Q: Why Focus on This Issue?

The consortium’s members have routinely incurred serious employee injuries due to winter weather-related conditions. Over the previous five years, SHIELD members encountered several severe injuries. These resulted in lost time, pain and suffering. The claims also incurred high costs relating to employee medical care, lost productivity due to lost work time and other costs.

Q: What were the Project’s Goals?

- Find the right type of traction aid for each department.

- Get employee buy-in.

- Train employees to use traction aids.

- Promote the use of traction aids.

- Monitor and address employee feedback.

SHIELD was successful in receiving the Iowa Municipal Workers’ Compensation (IMWCA) 2019 Safety Innovation Grant. The grant provided over $9,000 towards purchasing an additional type of traction aid for its members that belong to IMWCA. Non-IMWCA members became the control group for the study.

Q: What was involved in setting up the project?

SHIELD staff traveled to each entity to train employees on how to fit and use traction aids. Staff also worked with the entities to require traction aids as part of their personal protective equipment program for employees and explained the requirement to the employees.

Q: What were the Project Results?

There were no lost-time injuries! Employees were very positive, providing lots of valuable feedback on what worked and the type of traction aid used regarding various applications. The project saved money through avoided injuries and lost workdays. Employee confidence increased while working on slippery surfaces.

SHIELD members gained valuable knowledge on what type of traction aids worked best for different departments since each department does not have the same needs. Some employees, such as street and sewer, were provided with the spike type of traction aid to get better traction in and around dirt, mud, etc.

The study found it is imperative to revise employer policies and SOPs to require employees to wear the purchased traction aids. The traction aids won’t help if they stay in the desk, locker or glove box.

Q: What happened with the Control Group?

The control group of non-participating project members experienced their typical number of serious injuries due to winter weather-related slips and falls.