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California’s weather has become unpredictable over the years. People have to prepare for extreme conditions, like excessive rainfall, more often. During these rainy days, our workforce has to be extra careful—not just to avoid sickness but also work-related accidents. Rain and snow cause slippery roads and pavements, increasing the risks of motor vehicle accidents and slips and falls.
Certain California regions get substantial snow from January to February each year. The Golden State receives 75% of its annual precipitation from November to March. About 50% falls from December through February, creating a killer combo of rain and snow. These bad weather conditions were the primary or secondary factors in some of the cases our personal injury attorneys have handled here at Arash Law. Regardless of the industry, the workforce is among the most vulnerable to these accidents.
What Dangerous Weather Conditions Can Affect Workers?
Excessive rainfall and snowfall in some areas of California are now becoming the norm. Although we can’t control the weather, we can manage how we react to it. This is important in the workforce, which has to carry on with their jobs even in bad conditions.
Here are the most common workplace accidents brought on by bad weather conditions:
Work-Related Accidents Caused By Rain
Rainfall creates a risky environment for employees who have to continue working. However, slippery roads and walkways aren’t the only things they have to be careful of. Low visibility during heavy rains also creates a problem. Slip-and-fall accidents, as well as traffic collisions, are frequently documented during these conditions.
One of the most important things to consider as an employer is avoiding electrocution accidents. The OSHA has included it as one of the Focus Four Hazards in construction. Nevertheless, electrocution can happen anywhere, including factories and office spaces, and it often leads to catastrophic injuries.
Rainy Day Safety Tips For Workplaces
Our California personal injury law firm encourages workers to drive carefully. Even if you’re within the limit, going at the maximum allowable speed may still be dangerous, given the circumstances. Also, always use your signal lights to communicate with other drivers.
Here are more safety tips to avoid workplace accidents during rainy days:
- Keep floors dry – Workers and other individuals can track water inside on rainy days. It’s important to mop and dry any small puddles indoors to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. Additionally, signs and orange cones should be set up in areas with wet floors to warn people to be cautious when walking.
- Proper clothing – Workers exposed to cold rain for long hours can experience symptoms of cold stress. To avoid this, employers should provide workers with water-resistant clothing. Meanwhile, employees are encouraged to layer their clothes.
- Improve visibility – Employees who work outside during rainy days and other weather conditions that make the sky dark should wear gear that helps them become more visible to cars, trucks, and other vehicles on the road. Their employers should also provide them with flashlights and other accessories that can help them be safer at night.
- Move cautiously – Take small steps and avoid hurrying. Handle equipment carefully to keep it from slipping off.
- Use proper equipment – If you have to work outdoors in the rain, ensure that you use the proper equipment meant for outdoor applications. These often have textured, non-slip handles that provide extra grip when it rains. Employers should have this equipment at their workers’ disposal.
- Break time—Companies must allow employees to take breaks. Employees can use this time to warm up.
- Protection from electrocution – As one of the Focus Four Hazards, the OSHA has provided an in-depth guide on how to avoid these accidents. Contents include the responsibilities of employers, such as isolating electrical parts and ensuring proper grounding.
- Provide training—Regular training for employees helps avoid accidents. In case of such incidents, workers are well aware of what to do.
Work-Related Accidents Caused By Snow
The winter months are among the most dangerous in certain parts of the Golden State, including the Sierra Nevada Range, Northern California, and some parts of Southern California. Snow and ice can make roads and walkways slippery, increasing the risks of motor vehicle crashes, including car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle wrecks, slip-and-falls, and pedestrian accidents.
During snow days, employees who are traveling to and from work are often the victims. Some employers may also require workers, such as truckers, to drive on an icy day, which puts them at risk of devastating crashes. Additionally, delivery and ridesharing drivers are prone to these issues. Lyft and Uber collisions can happen when vehicles lose traction on snowy roads. If you were injured in a car crash on a snowy day, speak with one of our car accident lawyers to help you recover your medical expenses and other damages.
Slips and falls are also widely reported during the winter months. Construction workers, haulers, shippers, and couriers are some of the most affected. Aside from having to walk on slippery walkways, they also tend to carry heavy stuff, which could fall on them if they slip.
Surfaces can also get weighed down by snow and collapse. Before workers access these areas, they should be inspected by a competent person first to ensure they’re structurally sound.
Roofers are also at risk of falling. Aside from possibly slippery roofs, snow can also hide obstructions or skylines.
How To Avoid Workplace Accidents During Winter Season
Here are some safety tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
- Winter driving – Employers should ensure vehicles are properly maintained. They should also be adequately equipped for snowy roads. For example, tires should have proper tread depth, and all signal lights should also work.
- Emergency kit—Workers should be provided with an emergency kit. The set may include a flashlight with extra batteries, a two-way radio or cellphone, a windshield ice scraper, a shovel, a tow chain, water, blankets, and emergency flares.
- High visibility vests – Road workers and others exposed to traffic should always wear high visibility vests.
- Snow shoveling – Cold weather can be taxing on the body. OSHA recommends that every worker tasked with shoveling snow warm up first. Pushing the snow instead of lifting it can also avoid physical strain.
- Downed or damaged power lines – Assume that all power lines are energized. Steer clear of these and call responsible authorities immediately. Only properly trained and equipped personnel should handle such issues.
- Cold stress – Outdoor workers are prone to cold stress if exposed to low temperatures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends employees schedule any maintenance and repair jobs for warmer months. They should also reduce physical demands on their workers. In addition, workers have to be provided with warm liquids and warm areas for breaks.
Negligence And Bad Weather Conditions
Negligence is the failure to behave with reasonable care that another person would otherwise provide. Employers must take appropriate steps to keep an environment safe for employees. For example, they must provide their workers with adequate breaks between work.
Meanwhile, workers also have to act with care. One example is Uber drivers, who are considered to be the ridesharing company’s partners. They need to exercise caution whenever it rains or snows to ensure they transport passengers safely. The same goes for every worker whose actions may affect another person.
If an individual or entity fails to take these reasonable precautions or acts negligently, they can be sued for damages. Victims can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Our personal injury attorneys will help you through the process. We’ll investigate your claim and negotiate with insurance companies so you are compensated for your loss.
Weather-Related Workplace Deaths
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 55 fatal work injuries occurred with weather conditions as the primary or secondary cause in 2020. This is a 29.5% decline from the previous year, which recorded 78 deaths. Twenty-two of these deaths (41.5%) were from “ice, sleet, or snow.” Meanwhile, 19 deaths (35.8%) were due to “high winds, gusts, and turbulence.”
Call Our Work Accident Lawyers Today To Schedule A Consultation!
The weather might have contributed to your accident and injury, but you may be entitled to compensation if there was also negligence. Sustaining injuries and losses from something that could have been prevented is frustrating. It’s mentally, physically, and financially taxing. Instead of earning money, you’re spending it to recover.
Allow Arash Law to advocate for you. We can help you understand your rights and get worker’s compensation. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about where to get the payment for quality legal representation. Contact us today at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free and no-obligation case assessment.
