Outdoor work safety is a critical issue year round, but is especially important in the winter when snow and ice combine to make conditions even more hazardous than usual. Slip and fall accidents are one of the largest causes of workplace injuries, and can have devastating effects on health, morale, and productivity.

The best way to prevent slip and fall accidents on outdoor surfaces is to increase traction on employees’ footwear with the help of removable ice cleats from manufacturers such as Yaktrax, WinterSmart, Get-A-Grip, and STABILicers.

Yet as easy as it is to add ice cleats to work shoes and boots, many employers still haven’t adopted this preventive safety measure. Some of the top reasons they give for holding out include the following:

Buying ice cleats for every worker is too expensive.

We understand that many businesses have budget concerns, but it just doesn’t make sense to cut corners where safety is involved. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a single slip and fall incident in the workplace costs employers an average of $28,000 — which makes the volume discount price on ice cleats at CozyWinters look like an even bigger bargain!

Employees won’t want to bother putting them on and taking them off.

This concern, which is occasionally voiced by folks that need heavy-duty spiked ice cleats, is simply outdated. Many modern ice cleat models come with Velcro straps or easy-to-grip support rings and holes that make quick work of getting the cleats on and off. When safety is that simple, everyone benefits!

Employees can just walk carefully.

Many people think that they do not need safety equipment because they feel they can take care to avoid accidents on their own. However, this is simply not the case. While walking carefully and slowly is always advised in icy conditions, companies must take every precaution to promote the safety of their employees, but also to reduce company liability for potential injuries due to workplace injury.

Employees can’t wear them indoors or while driving.

Unfortunately, it is true that no ice cleats are safe to wear indoors or while driving. However, as we mentioned above, most brands of ice cleats are quick and easy to put on or take off when changing walking surfaces. All it takes to switch from winter walking to driving is a quick

Prevention is the best way to handle slip and fall accidents in winter, which is why the added traction of ice cleats is a must-have for outdoor workers. If you’ve been avoiding a purchase for your employees because of one of the excuses above, it’s time to change your mind and get with the (safety) program!