Parts of BC are experiencing extreme winter weather. Here are some health and safety tips if you are working outdoors or driving to and from work.

Working outdoors

Working in cold, windy, and wet weather, even for minutes at a time, can lead to cold exposure injuries. Learn the signs and symptoms and what you can do if you, your coworkers, patients, clients, or residents experience cold exposure injuries. Notify your employer and seek medical attention when required.

Cold Exposure Injuries:

There are varying severities to frostbite, to learn more visit HealthLinkBC.

Adapted from HealthLinkBC (2022). Cold Temperature Exposure and Hypothermia and Cold Temperature Exposure

Driving to and from work

Winter driving in BC can be dangerous.  Cold temperatures, slippery roads, and reduced visibility are challenging even for the most experienced drivers. The risks are high no matter where you live. Learn how to keep yourself, your coworkers, patients, clients, and residents safe.

Prepare before you go with these tips from Road Safety at Work:

• Check current weather and road conditions by visiting DriveBC
• Give yourself extra time and let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be arriving
• Bring warm clothing such as winter boots with good tread, a coat, gloves, and a hat with you in case you need to get out of your vehicle during the trip
• Check your tire tread on your winter tires (winter tires are a legal requirement most BC highways and mountain passes October 1 – April 30)
• Practice preventative maintenance year-round to ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter
• Clear all windows, lights, mirrors, hood, and the roof of snow and ice before driving
• Increase your following distance
• Accelerate and brake slowly
• Avoid sudden moves
• Know how to handle a skid – If you start to skid, ease off the brake or accelerator and look and steer in the direction you want to go. Smooth steering is the key to recovering.
• Maintain a safe following distance around all highway maintenance vehicles such as plows and salt or sand trucks

To learn more about employee responsibilities and employer responsibilities for your health and safety when driving visit here.