Winter safety is increasingly important for businesses in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut as unpredictable storms, rapid freeze–thaw cycles, and heavy wet snow create new risks for employees and facilities. This guide highlights emerging hazards and practical steps your business can take this season, with links to earlier Beacon resources for deeper tips.
Changing Winter Conditions: What to Expect This Season
Southeastern New England winters now swing quickly between warm-ups and deep freezes. This can lead to:
- Ice forming unexpectedly on walkways and parking lots
- Roof strain from heavy wet snow
- Drainage issues caused by rapid melting and refreezing
- Sudden building temperature drops that stress heating systems
For essential slip-and-fall prevention, you can still refer to our earlier post: 5 Tips to Prevent Winter Weather Slips & Falls
Facility Priorities for Older New England Buildings
Many commercial buildings in our region were built long before today’s weather patterns. This makes them more vulnerable to winter-related damage.
Key focus areas:
- Inspect roofs, drains, and gutters before the first freeze
- Add insulation to exposed pipes and drafty areas
- Review snow-removal contracts and expectations
- Check entryways and high-traffic areas for uneven surfaces
More preparation guidance is available in our past article: Plan Ahead and Prepare Your Business for Winter
Keeping Operations Running Smoothly
Storms and icy conditions can disrupt employee access, deliveries, and hours of operation. A few small steps can make a big difference:
- Create clear communication plans for delayed openings or closures
- Identify backup staff for critical roles
- Ensure remote-access tools are functioning where appropriate
- Confirm your vendors’ winter readiness, especially for snow removal
For broader business continuity tips, see: The Ultimate Guide to Business Winter Safety
Worker Safety Beyond Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are the most common winter injury, but not the only one. Employers should also watch for:
- Cold stress in outdoor work
- Overexertion from shoveling heavy snow
- Reduced alertness during early-morning storm cleanups
Simple actions such as rotating shoveling duties, encouraging warm-up breaks, and ensuring proper PPE can significantly reduce injuries.
For safe equipment use, revisit: How to Choose the Right Snow Shovel, How to Operate a Snowblower Safely
Trends We're Seeing Accross the Region
Recent winters have led to increases in:
- Parking lot injuries during early storms
- Roof leaks from ice dams
- Equipment-related injuries involving snowblowers
- Coastal flooding affecting site access
Reviewing last year’s incidents can help your team identify recurring issues and prioritize improvements.
Final Takeaways
A few proactive steps can dramatically reduce winter-related injuries and disruptions:
- Inspect key areas of your facility
- Prepare communication and staffing plans
- Train employees on winter-specific hazards
- Review and update snow-removal expectations
Download Free Winter Safety Flyers
Education is key to keeping your business and employees safe! You can quickly and easily download free winter safety flyers in the Beacon Safety Library. Winter safety topics range from snow shoveling, snow blowers, and snow plow safety to winter slip and falls, to so much more. Download your free flyers today.
Want to Implement a Winterization Safety Program?
We provide all loss prevention services to policyholders and TPA clients at no additional cost. Our dedicated staff of qualified loss prevention consultants and ergonomic specialists have significant years of experience in winter weather accident prevention. Each member understands current safety and health issues and their potential impact on local employers. Let us help you.
Beacon Mutual