Prepare for cold and freezing weather.
Help prevent frozen pipes, water damage and other costly issues with our
winter weather resources.
For purpose‑driven organizations, winter brings unique safety challenges. Snow, ice and freezing temperatures create conditions where slip, trip and fall injuries are not only more likely, but often more severe — particularly for employees and volunteers who arrive early, stay late or work outdoors.
Church Mutual data shows that slip and fall incidents are 49% more likely during December through February in states with sustained winter weather. For organizations with employees, seasonal slip, trip and fall incidents could result in workers’ compensation claims, lost productivity, modified duty assignments and long‑term injuries that can affect both your people and your insurance program.
A proactive, mission‑minded approach to winter safety can help reduce these risks. The following guidance highlights practical steps organizations can take to support safer movement throughout the winter months and help limit preventable losses.
Winter weather can create heightened conditions for slip, trip and fall incidents. Employees and volunteers often face increased exposure during colder months, and when injuries occur, they can carry significant physical, financial and operational consequences.
Understanding winter slip, trip and fall risk begins with three key realities: how frequently injuries occur, how severe they can be and how they impact workers’ compensation programs and daily operations.
Employees and volunteers often spend more time outdoors than visitors and may navigate properties during low‑light or partially cleared conditions. Winter hazards commonly include:
Cold temperatures can increase injury severity by contributing to:
These factors could lead to sprains, fractures, dislocations and head injuries — among the most costly workers’ compensation claims.
Workers’ compensation claims affect more than insurance premiums. They may also result in:
Prevention is a safety priority, as well as a sound financial strategy.
Reducing winter slip, trip and fall injuries requires a balance of individual awareness, practical habits and organizational support. The following practices focus on everyday actions employees and volunteers can take, along with facility‑level measures that reinforce safer movement when winter conditions are present.
Property maintenance plays a key role in helping reduce winter slip, trip and fall risk and workers’ compensation exposure. Effective practices include:
If you use snow removal vendors, clearly define expectations and document service timelines. This information can be valuable during claim reviews.
Encourage people to allow extra time when navigating snowy or icy areas. Rushing can significantly increase fall risk. Reinforce “slow and steady” reminders through briefings, signage or internal communications.
This simple technique can help improve balance on slick surfaces:
Promote this approach for everyone, but especially among staff with outdoor responsibilities.
Footwear plays a major role in winter slip, trip and fall prevention. Encourage staff to wear footwear with:
Consider keeping traction devices or ice cleats available for employees who regularly work outdoors.
Cold muscles are more injury‑prone. Dressing in layers can help people stay warm and maintain their balance and alertness. Insulated gloves can also support better grip strength when using handrails in cold temperatures.
Entryways are a common “hot spot” for slip, trip and fall incidents, especially in winter. If not already in place, consider:
Encourage staff to keep one hand free for railings on stairs, ramps and inclines — especially when carrying items to, from and between buildings.
Heavy or bulky items can limit visibility and balance. Encourage staff to:
Parking lots often freeze first and thaw last. Encourage staff to:
For organizations that rely on transportation, providing abrasive materials can help create traction around vehicles or icy walkways when conditions change unexpectedly.
If an incident occurs in a remote or low‑traffic area, quick communication is critical. Encourage staff to keep their phones with them and stored in an inside pocket to help preserve battery life.
Overall wellness can help reduce injury severity. Share resources on:
Consistent reminders help reinforce safe habits. Consider:
Winter safety is an extension of your commitment to the people who serve your organization. By reinforcing safe behaviors and maintaining your facilities, you help protect individuals while strengthening long‑term resilience.
Even with strong prevention efforts, injuries can still occur. Understanding workers’ compensation coverage helps ensure injured employees receive appropriate care and support.
Workers’ compensation typically covers:
Best practices after a winter slip, trip or fall injury:
Strong documentation supports efficient claims handling and helps identify trends for future prevention.
Winter conditions may be temporary, but the impact of a single fall can last far longer. Preventing winter slip, trip and fall injuries is about more than avoiding claims — it’s about protecting the people who carry out your mission every day.
By integrating winter safety into your culture of care, you reinforce trust, stewardship and resilience. Even small, intentional actions can help ensure your organization continues moving forward safely, no matter the season.
For purpose‑driven organizations, winter brings unique safety challenges. Snow, ice and freezing temperatures create conditions where slip, trip and fall injuries are not only more likely, but often more severe — particularly for employees and volunteers who arrive early, stay late or work outdoors.
Church Mutual data shows that slip and fall incidents are 49% more likely during December through February in states with sustained winter weather. For organizations with employees, seasonal slip, trip and fall incidents could result in workers’ compensation claims, lost productivity, modified duty assignments and long‑term injuries that can affect both your people and your insurance program.
A proactive, mission‑minded approach to winter safety can help reduce these risks. The following guidance highlights practical steps organizations can take to support safer movement throughout the winter months and help limit preventable losses.
Winter weather can create heightened conditions for slip, trip and fall incidents. Employees and volunteers often face increased exposure during colder months, and when injuries occur, they can carry significant physical, financial and operational consequences.
Understanding winter slip, trip and fall risk begins with three key realities: how frequently injuries occur, how severe they can be and how they impact workers’ compensation programs and daily operations.
Employees and volunteers often spend more time outdoors than visitors and may navigate properties during low‑light or partially cleared conditions. Winter hazards commonly include:
Cold temperatures can increase injury severity by contributing to:
These factors could lead to sprains, fractures, dislocations and head injuries — among the most costly workers’ compensation claims.
Workers’ compensation claims affect more than insurance premiums. They may also result in:
Prevention is a safety priority, as well as a sound financial strategy.
Reducing winter slip, trip and fall injuries requires a balance of individual awareness, practical habits and organizational support. The following practices focus on everyday actions employees and volunteers can take, along with facility‑level measures that reinforce safer movement when winter conditions are present.
Property maintenance plays a key role in helping reduce winter slip, trip and fall risk and workers’ compensation exposure. Effective practices include:
If you use snow removal vendors, clearly define expectations and document service timelines. This information can be valuable during claim reviews.
Encourage people to allow extra time when navigating snowy or icy areas. Rushing can significantly increase fall risk. Reinforce “slow and steady” reminders through briefings, signage or internal communications.
This simple technique can help improve balance on slick surfaces:
Promote this approach for everyone, but especially among staff with outdoor responsibilities.
Footwear plays a major role in winter slip, trip and fall prevention. Encourage staff to wear footwear with:
Consider keeping traction devices or ice cleats available for employees who regularly work outdoors.
Cold muscles are more injury‑prone. Dressing in layers can help people stay warm and maintain their balance and alertness. Insulated gloves can also support better grip strength when using handrails in cold temperatures.
Entryways are a common “hot spot” for slip, trip and fall incidents, especially in winter. If not already in place, consider:
Encourage staff to keep one hand free for railings on stairs, ramps and inclines — especially when carrying items to, from and between buildings.
Heavy or bulky items can limit visibility and balance. Encourage staff to:
Parking lots often freeze first and thaw last. Encourage staff to:
For organizations that rely on transportation, providing abrasive materials can help create traction around vehicles or icy walkways when conditions change unexpectedly.
If an incident occurs in a remote or low‑traffic area, quick communication is critical. Encourage staff to keep their phones with them and stored in an inside pocket to help preserve battery life.
Overall wellness can help reduce injury severity. Share resources on:
Consistent reminders help reinforce safe habits. Consider:
Winter safety is an extension of your commitment to the people who serve your organization. By reinforcing safe behaviors and maintaining your facilities, you help protect individuals while strengthening long‑term resilience.
Even with strong prevention efforts, injuries can still occur. Understanding workers’ compensation coverage helps ensure injured employees receive appropriate care and support.
Workers’ compensation typically covers:
Best practices after a winter slip, trip or fall injury:
Strong documentation supports efficient claims handling and helps identify trends for future prevention.
Winter conditions may be temporary, but the impact of a single fall can last far longer. Preventing winter slip, trip and fall injuries is about more than avoiding claims — it’s about protecting the people who carry out your mission every day.
By integrating winter safety into your culture of care, you reinforce trust, stewardship and resilience. Even small, intentional actions can help ensure your organization continues moving forward safely, no matter the season.
For purpose‑driven organizations, winter brings unique safety challenges. Snow, ice and freezing temperatures create conditions where slip, trip and fall injuries are not only more likely, but often more severe — particularly for employees and volunteers who arrive early, stay late or work outdoors.
Church Mutual data shows that slip and fall incidents are 49% more likely during December through February in states with sustained winter weather. For organizations with employees, seasonal slip, trip and fall incidents could result in workers’ compensation claims, lost productivity, modified duty assignments and long‑term injuries that can affect both your people and your insurance program.
A proactive, mission‑minded approach to winter safety can help reduce these risks. The following guidance highlights practical steps organizations can take to support safer movement throughout the winter months and help limit preventable losses.
Winter weather can create heightened conditions for slip, trip and fall incidents. Employees and volunteers often face increased exposure during colder months, and when injuries occur, they can carry significant physical, financial and operational consequences.
Understanding winter slip, trip and fall risk begins with three key realities: how frequently injuries occur, how severe they can be and how they impact workers’ compensation programs and daily operations.
Employees and volunteers often spend more time outdoors than visitors and may navigate properties during low‑light or partially cleared conditions. Winter hazards commonly include:
Cold temperatures can increase injury severity by contributing to:
These factors could lead to sprains, fractures, dislocations and head injuries — among the most costly workers’ compensation claims.
Workers’ compensation claims affect more than insurance premiums. They may also result in:
Prevention is a safety priority, as well as a sound financial strategy.
Reducing winter slip, trip and fall injuries requires a balance of individual awareness, practical habits and organizational support. The following practices focus on everyday actions employees and volunteers can take, along with facility‑level measures that reinforce safer movement when winter conditions are present.
Property maintenance plays a key role in helping reduce winter slip, trip and fall risk and workers’ compensation exposure. Effective practices include:
If you use snow removal vendors, clearly define expectations and document service timelines. This information can be valuable during claim reviews.
Encourage people to allow extra time when navigating snowy or icy areas. Rushing can significantly increase fall risk. Reinforce “slow and steady” reminders through briefings, signage or internal communications.
This simple technique can help improve balance on slick surfaces:
Promote this approach for everyone, but especially among staff with outdoor responsibilities.
Footwear plays a major role in winter slip, trip and fall prevention. Encourage staff to wear footwear with:
Consider keeping traction devices or ice cleats available for employees who regularly work outdoors.
Cold muscles are more injury‑prone. Dressing in layers can help people stay warm and maintain their balance and alertness. Insulated gloves can also support better grip strength when using handrails in cold temperatures.
Entryways are a common “hot spot” for slip, trip and fall incidents, especially in winter. If not already in place, consider:
Encourage staff to keep one hand free for railings on stairs, ramps and inclines — especially when carrying items to, from and between buildings.
Heavy or bulky items can limit visibility and balance. Encourage staff to:
Parking lots often freeze first and thaw last. Encourage staff to:
For organizations that rely on transportation, providing abrasive materials can help create traction around vehicles or icy walkways when conditions change unexpectedly.
If an incident occurs in a remote or low‑traffic area, quick communication is critical. Encourage staff to keep their phones with them and stored in an inside pocket to help preserve battery life.
Overall wellness can help reduce injury severity. Share resources on:
Consistent reminders help reinforce safe habits. Consider:
Winter safety is an extension of your commitment to the people who serve your organization. By reinforcing safe behaviors and maintaining your facilities, you help protect individuals while strengthening long‑term resilience.
Even with strong prevention efforts, injuries can still occur. Understanding workers’ compensation coverage helps ensure injured employees receive appropriate care and support.
Workers’ compensation typically covers:
Best practices after a winter slip, trip or fall injury:
Strong documentation supports efficient claims handling and helps identify trends for future prevention.
Winter conditions may be temporary, but the impact of a single fall can last far longer. Preventing winter slip, trip and fall injuries is about more than avoiding claims — it’s about protecting the people who carry out your mission every day.
By integrating winter safety into your culture of care, you reinforce trust, stewardship and resilience. Even small, intentional actions can help ensure your organization continues moving forward safely, no matter the season.
