Winter can change the way work gets done. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, rain, reduced daylight, and poor visibility can increase the risk of slips, trips, falls, cold exposure, and vehicle incidents. Difficult commutes, changing routines, and added workload can also contribute to stress and fatigue.

Winter safety is a shared responsibility. Workers need clear ways to report concerns and respond when conditions change. Employers and supervisors need to plan ahead, maintain safe work areas, communicate expectations, and adjust work when conditions are unsafe.

Start with a winter safety check

Before a shift, home visit, or work-related trip, take a moment to check the conditions around you.

1. Check the weather, alerts, and road conditions.
2. Look for snow, ice, slush, water, poor lighting, and blocked or uneven walkways.
3. Wear clothing and footwear that suit the conditions.
4. Allow more time so you do not have to rush.
5. Know how to report a hazard, delay, or unsafe condition.

Common winter hazards

Slips, trips, and falls

• Ice, black ice, snow, slush, mud, and standing water
• Wet floors, loose mats, and moisture tracked indoors
• Snow-covered or uneven sidewalks, ramps, driveways, stairs, and parking areas
• Poor lighting, shorter daylight hours, and weather that limits visibility
• Clutter, cords, equipment, or items that block the walking path
• Carrying items that block your view or make it harder to use a handrail
• Rushing because of delays, workload, or staffing pressure

Cold exposure

• Waiting outdoors or walking between a vehicle and a work location
• Working in a poorly heated home or during a power outage
• Wet clothing or footwear, inadequate winter clothing, and wind chill
• Reduced dexterity, coordination, and concentration when exposed to cold
• Cold-related illness, including frostbite and hypothermia

Winter driving

• Snow, ice, black ice, slush, flooding, and changing road conditions
• Heavy snow, freezing rain, and reduced visibility
• Vehicle breakdowns or vehicles that are not prepared for winter
• Fatigue, stress, and longer travel times

Other winter hazards

• Strain or musculoskeletal injury from manual snow and ice removal
• Dark parking areas, driveways, walkways, and stairs
• Severe weather, flooding, and power outages
• Stress, fatigue, lower mood, reduced motivation, or difficulty concentrating

Prevent slips, trips, and falls

Pay close attention to entrances, sidewalks, ramps, stairs, parking areas, and frequently used walkways. Conditions can change quickly as snow melts, water is tracked inside, or temperatures fall.

• Wear water-resistant, insulated footwear with good traction when conditions require it.
• Take short steps and move at a slower pace on wet, snowy, or icy surfaces.
• Use cleared and well-lit routes. Use handrails where they are available.
• Keep your hands free when possible and avoid carrying items that block your view.
• Report snow, ice, water, damaged walkways, poor lighting, loose mats, and other hazards promptly.
• Use required controls, such as snow and ice removal, absorbent mats, signage, and barriers.
• Avoid rushing, even when the weather, workload, or staffing levels create added pressure.

For home support workers

A client's home and the surrounding property are part of the work environment. Before entering, assess the driveway, walkway, stairs, entrance, lighting, and indoor flooring.

If access is unsafe because of snow, ice, flooding, poor lighting, or another hazard, do not try to manage the risk alone. Follow your organization's procedure for reporting the concern and deciding whether the visit can proceed safely. Tell the appropriate supervisor about delays or changing conditions as soon as you can.

Plan for winter driving

When you drive between clients or as part of your duties, the vehicle is part of your workplace. Prepare before each trip and adjust your plan as conditions change.

• Check current weather, road conditions, and travel advisories before leaving.
• Allow more time and adjust your speed and following distance for the conditions.
• Make sure the vehicle is maintained and equipped according to your organization's procedures.
• Clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and other areas that affect visibility.
• Carry the emergency supplies required by your organization.
• Communicate delays, unsafe conditions, or vehicle concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
• Follow your organization's winter-weather and travel procedures. Do not proceed when the organization determines that travel is unsafe.

Protect yourself from cold exposure

• Dress in layers and choose clothing that protects you from rain, snow, wind, and cold.
• Change wet clothing or footwear as soon as practical.
• Use warm-up breaks and heated spaces according to your workplace procedures.
• Learn the signs of frostbite and hypothermia and know what to do if you notice them.
• Report situations that could lead to prolonged cold exposure, such as waiting outside for access to a client's home.

Pay attention to psychological health and safety

Winter can affect people in different ways. Shorter daylight hours, difficult commutes, changes to routines, and added workload may contribute to stress, fatigue, lower mood, reduced motivation, or difficulty concentrating. These changes can affect a worker's well-being and ability to work safely.

Seasonal affective disorder, often called SAD, is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern and commonly occurs during fall and winter. Reduced exposure to daylight may be one factor, but the causes are complex. Symptoms can include persistent low mood, loss of interest or enjoyment, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness, or withdrawing from usual activities.

Regular sleep and meal routines, physical activity, outdoor daylight when practical and safe, social connection, and appropriate breaks may support overall well-being. These steps are not a substitute for workplace support or health care. If symptoms persist, worsen, or affect daily life, consider speaking with a health care provider. Workers can also use available workplace supports, such as an employee assistance program.

Employers and supervisors can support psychological health and safety by monitoring workload, communicating during severe weather, checking in after difficult commutes or disruptions, and making reasonable adjustments where possible. Workers should be able to raise concerns without being expected to manage unsafe conditions alone.

Actions for employers and supervisors

• Monitor weather and road conditions and use clear criteria to modify or suspend non-emergency work when conditions are hazardous.
• Maintain entrances, parking areas, walkways, ramps, stairs, lighting, floor mats, and drainage.
• Provide clear guidance on winter clothing, footwear, hazard reporting, travel, delays, and home-visit access.
• Develop winter emergency plans and make sure workers understand what to do.
• Provide information and training on winter driving, slips and falls, cold exposure, and safe snow removal.
• Maintain and equip company vehicles for winter conditions and provide required emergency supplies.
• Review workload, scheduling, and communication practices when severe weather affects staffing or travel.
• Tell workers what psychological health supports are available and how to access them.

If conditions become unsafe

Stop and assess the situation. Move away from the immediate hazard if you can do so safely. Report the concern through your organization's process and contact the appropriate supervisor for direction. Follow the emergency, travel, or home-visit procedure that applies to your work. Do not rush or continue with work that your organization has determined cannot be done safely.

Review your workplace's winter-weather procedures before conditions change. Report hazards early, talk about winter safety with your team, and use the resources below to prepare for work, travel, and home visits.