A nurse helps a someone sit up after surgery. A physical therapist steadies someone learning to walk again. A caregiver gently shifts a patient to ease discomfort or prevent complications during the recovery process.

These movements are part of daily care, and among the most physically demanding tasks in modern workplaces—especially in long-term care settings and senior living communities, where caregivers support residents with daily mobility needs over extended periods of time. For these organizations, the question becomes clear: How can we help protect the people who spend their careers protecting others?

“When injuries happen in healthcare, they rarely come from one dramatic moment,” said Ed Sowers, Risk Management Service Specialist at 91şÚÁĎÍř.

“More often, they’re tied to routine movements repeated throughout the day. The organizations that manage that risk best look at the entire system—how the room is designed, what equipment is available, and how teams support each other during patient care delivery.”

Where Patient Handling Risk Really Begins

Healthcare professionals perform some of the most physically demanding work in any industry. Moving a patient from bed to chair, assisting with rehabilitation, or repositioning someone to prevent pressure injuries are essential parts of care—but they can also place significant strain on caregivers. In long-term care communities, these movements often happen repeatedly throughout the day for the same residents, increasing cumulative physical demands on staff. that manual lifting can expose workers to spinal forces that exceed recommended safe limits, especially when mechanical support or team assistance is limited.

Unlike many industries, healthcare cannot remove these tasks from the workflow; mobility assistance is a necessary part of treatment. This is especially true in senior living facilities, where supporting activities of daily living is central to resident care. As a result, the workforce experiences some of the over most private industries, with musculoskeletal disorders among the of missed workdays. Many of these injuries are linked to handling tasks such as lifting, repositioning, and transfers and, when injuries occur, the impact reaches beyond the individual caregiver. Staffing pressure increases, workflows may slow, and care environments become increasingly more complex.Ěý

The Triangle

Protecting caregivers is essential to protecting patients.Ěý aligns ergonomics, lifting equipment, and team-based support to make patient movement safer and more efficient. By replacing high-risk manual tasks with safer systems, healthcare facilities may reduce injuries while creating a more comfortable and dignified experience for those in recovery or receiving treatment.

The model centers on three interdependent elements: Ergonomics, Equipment, and Staffing.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics focuses on designing healthcare environments that help support safer movement. This includes patient room layouts that allow proper positioning during transfers, workflows that support assisted movement, and training that reinforces safe body mechanics. In both senior living and long-term care facilities, this may also include room configurations that accommodate mobility aids and support frequent repositioning throughout the day. Recent federal workplace safety guidance as an important component of healthcare injury prevention.

“When caregivers have space to move properly and understand how to position themselves during patient handling, the strain on the body drops significantly,” Sowers explained. “Ergonomics helps make safe movement the natural way the work gets done.”

Hospitals that incorporate ergonomic design into patient handling programs fewer lifting-related injuries and greater confidence among caregivers assisting patients with mobility.

Equipment That Supports Safer Patient Movement

Training and workplace design are essential, but safe patient handling also requires the right tools. Mechanical lifts, transfer devices, slide sheets, and adjustable beds are in healthcare environments. These tools help caregivers reposition or transfer patients while reducing the strain associated with manual lifting.

Staffing

Even with ergonomic design and advanced equipment, safe patient handling depends on teamwork; many transfers require two caregivers working together to safely reposition or assist a patient. And when staffing levels are stretched, caregivers may feel pressure to handle these tasks alone, often raising the risk of injury; continues to highlight staffing support as a key factor in safe handling programs.

“Patient movement is rarely meant to be a solo task,” Sowers noted. “When caregivers have the support of their team, they can follow safe procedures rather than rushing through physically demanding movements.”

Adequate staffing allows care teams to move more deliberately, communicate clearly, and assist one another during potentially difficult mobility tasks.

When Safety Systems Work Together

The strength of the Patient Safety Triangle becomes clear when ergonomics, equipment, and staffing operate not as isolated solutions, but as parts of a coordinated system.

In healthcare facilities that approach patient handling this way, safety is built into the environment itself. to allow caregivers to move and position themselves properly during transfers. Mechanical lifts and transfer devices are readily available where patient movement occurs. Care teams receive practical training in and have the staffing support needed to work together when tasks require more than one set of hands.

Over time, these systems begin to reshape the rhythm of care. Transfers become more deliberate. Caregivers can move with greater confidence. Patients may feel more stable and secure during moments that can otherwise be physically and emotionally vulnerable.

Safety, in these environments, is not treated as a separate initiative or an afterthought. It becomes part of the everyday workflow, supporting caregivers while strengthening the overall resilience of the healthcare organization.

Strengthening Healthcare Safety

When healthcare organizations treat patient handling as a system rather than a series of individual tasks, the benefits may extend well beyond injury reduction. Over time, these practices can help strengthen more than safety metrics. They support workforce resilience, preserve valuable clinical expertise, and help healthcare organizations maintain the steady, high-quality care patients depend on every day—especially in environments where continuity of care and caregiver well-being are critical to resident outcomes. They support workforce resilience, preserve valuable clinical expertise, and help healthcare organizations maintain the steady, high-quality care patients depend on every day.

At 91şÚÁĎÍř, this work happens alongside agents and healthcare policyholders every day—translating real-world operational insight into practical safety strategies designed to protect caregivers and strengthen healthcare organizations.

To learn more about how 91şÚÁĎÍř helps healthcare organizations strengthen safety programs and protect their teams, visit 91şÚÁĎÍř.com.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

A worker slows their pace. Another pauses longer than usual between tasks. A supervisor notices someone losing focus while operating equipment. As the warmer months approach, these warning signs become more common across worksites preparing for the summer season ahead.

Increasingly, safety leaders recognize that heat exposure, fatigue, and mental strain are closely connected risks—factors that shape how workers concentrate and respond to hazards on the job. For organizations committed to protecting their teams, understanding that connection is becoming a key part of building safer workplaces.

Understanding the Risk

Across the United States, work outdoors, where physical exertion, protective equipment, and direct sunlight combine to intensify environmental stress throughout the day. Indoor environments are not immune either. Warehouses and processing facilities can trap heat and humidity, creating conditions where workers experience sustained thermal strain even without direct sun exposure.

For decades, workplace safety programs have focused primarily on visible hazards—equipment, fall protection, machine guarding, and other physical risks present on nearly every jobsite. Those protections remain foundational but, as temperatures begin to climb heading into the spring and summer months, organizations achieving the most consistent safety outcomes are expanding their focus to include something equally important: worker well-being and human performance.

Rising Temperatures, Rising Risk

Extreme heat offers a clear example of why this shift matters.

, more than 33,000 workers experienced serious heat-related injuries or illnesses that required time away from work. Nearly 1,000 workers have died from occupational heat exposure since the early 1990s, a stark reminder of how dangerous extreme temperatures can be. Research how environmental stress can gradually erode focus and stamina during physically intensive work, where even subtle declines in concentration can increase the likelihood of incidents.

Employers are responding by strengthening workplace heat safety and heat stress prevention strategies that help workers stay protected throughout the workday. Programs often include:

Hydration and Cooling Practices

providing workers with cool drinking water and encouraging approximately one cup every 15–20 minutes during hot conditions, along with access to shaded or air-conditioned recovery areas where employees can cool down and lower body temperature during breaks.

Acclimatization Protocols

Because new or returning workers are particularly vulnerable, federal safety guidance gradually increasing workloads and heat exposure over a 7–14 day period so the body can safely adjust to hotter environments.

Work–rest Cycles and Task Rotation

Adjusting physically demanding work during peak heat hours—shifting heavier tasks to earlier morning hours or rotating employees between high- and lower-intensity duties—helps reduce cumulative heat strain and fatigue during prolonged exposure.

Environmental Monitoring and Early Response

Tracking humidity and temperature allows supervisors to modify schedules, increase rest breaks, or pause work when conditions become unsafe. Consider heat index-monitoring and clear response plans into daily jobsite safety planning.

When Fatigue Begins to Build

Heat rarely operates alone. Fatigue and mental strain can compound physical stress—reducing alertness and slowing the reaction times workers rely on to perform safely on active jobsites. Long work hours, irregular schedules, and physically intensive tasks can of workplace errors and injuries, particularly in industries where employees operate heavy equipment or perform precision work requiring sustained concentration.

More often than not, fatigue itself builds gradually—after extended shifts, consecutive days of heavy workloads, and prolonged exposure to heat—eroding the focus and situational awareness crews depend on to stay safe. Workers may begin moving more slowly or miss small but important details that normally guide safe decision-making.

When those conditions combine with environmental heat stress, the likelihood of mistakes increases. Employers are encouraged to as a manageable risk so potential issues can be identified and controlled before they lead to incidents.

“When supervisors are trained to recognize signs of fatigue, heat stress, or distraction, they can step in early and redirect the situation before it becomes a loss,” said Sean Yakicic, Risk Management Expertise Specialist at 91şÚÁĎÍř.

Effective fatigue risk management programs include:

PLAN scheduling strategies that support adequate recovery time between physically demanding shifts

TRAIN supervisors to recognize behavioral indicators of fatigue or cognitive overload

ROTATE tasks and adjust workloads during periods of high environmental stress

LISTEN and reinforce open communication practices that encourage workers to report fatigue or mental strain early

Supporting Mental Well-Being on the Jobsite

While heat and fatigue often receive the most attention during the summer months, mental well-being is increasingly recognized as another important factor shaping workplace safety. Demanding schedules, physically intensive labor, and high-risk environments can place sustained pressure on workers, sometimes affecting concentration and decision-making in ways that are not always immediately visible.

continues to highlight this connection, noting that workplace stress and mental health challenges can strongly influence productivity and overall safety performance—particularly in industries where employees must maintain a focused and constant situational awareness.

In response, many organizations are strengthening jobsite practices that support both psychological well-being and operational safety, including:

• Supervisor awareness and behavioral observation, helping frontline leaders recognize early signs of distraction, stress, or cognitive overload that could affect safe performance.
• Open communication and peer support, creating an environment where workers feel comfortable raising concerns early—without stigma or hesitation.
• Thoughtful job planning and realistic scheduling, helping reduce unnecessary pressure that can compound fatigue and mental strain on the jobsite
• Access to confidential , including employee assistance programs and mental health services promoted through workplace health initiatives.

Building a Stronger Safety Culture

Creating safer jobsites is about more than policies or compliance—it’s about culture. When organizations pay attention to the conditions that workers face each day, they reinforce a simple but powerful message: people come first.

“The organizations that consistently perform well understand that safety isn’t just about policies or compliance—it’s about people,” said Yakicic. “When we pay attention to the conditions workers face, we create environments where employees can stay focused, support one another, and perform at their very best.”

As warmer months approach and workloads intensify, preparation and awareness help crews stay focused, resilient, and ready to work safely.Ěý For more practical strategies and expert insights to help strengthen your safety program, visit 91şÚÁĎÍř.com.

Even in periods of strong growth, construction remains shaped by constraints. Workforce shortages persist, timelines shift, and operational risk is constant. Safety, in particular, remains central to every project. Construction accounts for roughly —more than any other industry—reinforcing how much depends on preparation, communication, and leadership at every level.

It is within this environment—defined by consequence, responsibility, and sustained demand—that more women are choosing to build their careers.

Recent statistics paint a promising picture of growth and inclusion in the construction workforce.Ěý, construction employment grew by an impressive 133,000 jobs—with women contributing 18,000 of these new positions. This means that approximately 1 in every 7 construction jobs, or just over 14% of the workforce, is now held by women. Even as the industry navigates fluctuations in job openings—from a record high of about 450,000 early in the year to around 300,000 by September—the steady influx of talented women helps ensure that the sector remains vibrant, resilient, and full of opportunity.

A Proven Legacy

Women in Construction Week, held annually during the first full week of March, was established in 1998 by the , to recognize that evolution. NAWIC itself began decades earlier, in 1953, when women working in construction formed an organization to support advancement in a field where opportunity was often limited.

Since then, the industry has changed dramatically—but its demands have not softened. Construction continues to require technical expertise, operational discipline, and leadership capable of managing inevitable uncertainty. Projects can unfold over months or years, shaped by variables that cannot always be predicted; stability depends on people who can sustain focus and make sound decisions over time.

The growing presence of women across construction roles—from project management and engineering to safety leadership and skilled trades—reflects the industry’s ongoing adaptation to those realities. Their contributions strengthen the workforce not simply by increasing its size, but by reinforcing its capacity for coordination and long-term continuity.

Safety, Stability, and the Work Behind the Work

Safety improvements across the construction industry have come through sustained effort—through safety training, planning, and a stronger understanding of risk. While the work remains inherently demanding, progress over time reflects the impact of leadership committed to protecting workers and strengthening operational discipline.

“Women in construction bring a unique blend of resilience, intuition, and care to some of the toughest work out there. Every day, women help shape safer environments and stronger teams by showing up with focus and compassion,” said Ashley Parker, Risk Management Manager at 91şÚÁĎÍř. “It’s an honor to be part of a community of women who continue to elevate the construction industry and the people who depend on it.”

For construction businesses, maintaining that stability requires more than internal effort. It depends on partners who understand how projects unfold in real conditions—helping identify risk early, respond when circumstances change, and support continuity over the life of the work. This need has grown more pronounced as and projects have become more complex, increasing the importance of proactive risk management and coordination across teams.

91şÚÁĎÍř has long partnered with construction businesses and the agencies who serve them, providing risk management expertise and claims support that help organizations navigate uncertainty and keep projects moving forward. That partnership supports construction professionals not only when disruption occurs, but in the day-to-day effort required to operate safely and meet their commitments.

Construction has never been defined solely by the structures it produces, but by the people willing to take responsibility for building them—and by the partnerships that help sustain that work. recognizes those professionals whose proven strength continues to shape an industry essential to how our communities function and grow.

To learn more about 91şÚÁĎÍř’s construction expertise and agency partnerships, visit our website. You can also explore Women in Construction Week^® events, helpful resources, and unique industry perspectives at:

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

Winter safety conversations often begin — and end — with what we can see: icy sidewalks, snow-covered parking lots, slick roads. Those risks are real. But many of winter’s most disruptive workplace safety hazards don’t arrive with drama or visibility. They settle in quietly, embedded in familiar routines and indoor spaces where people spend most of their day.

What makes these hazards easy to overlook is also what makes them costly. They develop gradually, compound over time, and affect judgment, balance, and performance long before an incident occurs.

Here are six often overlooked cold-weather hazards — and why recognizing them matters.

1. Cold Stress and Slip Risks Don’t Stay Outside

Cold stress is often associated with outdoor crews, yet it can affect workers indoors as well — particularly in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, loading docks, and older buildings with inconsistent heating or frequent air exchange.

Prolonged exposure to cooler temperatures can reduce circulation, stiffen muscles, slow reaction time, and impair coordination, even when conditions don’t feel extreme. Because these effects develop gradually, they’re easy to dismiss until reduced dexterity and delayed responses increase the likelihood of strains, handling errors, or secondary incidents.

Winter hazards also tend to follow workers inside. Snow, slush, and moisture tracked through entrances can create slick conditions in lobbies, corridors, stairwells, and break areas — spaces that feel familiar enough to lower awareness. Surfaces that appear dry may still lack traction, particularly during peak traffic periods when mats shift, floors are cleaned frequently, or moisture accumulates unnoticed. consistently shows slips, trips, and falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries involving days away from work, with winter conditions contributing to seasonal increases.

Effective winter workplace safety depends on recognizing how indoor conditions and routine traffic patterns change over time — and adjusting housekeeping, matting, lighting, and expectations before minor exposure turns into a preventable injury.

2. Dehydration Is a Winter Risk — Not a Summer One

Hydration often falls off the winter safety radar, yet occupational health research shows dehydration risk can increase in colder months. Workers lose fluids not only through sweat, but through respiration — and dry winter air accelerates that loss. Lower humidity, dry skin, and a diminished thirst response all contribute, the body’s ability to retain water and leaving many people chronically dehydrated through winter.

that dehydration can contribute to fatigue, reduced concentration, and higher injury risk, especially in physically demanding or safety-sensitive roles. Managing winter dehydration means treating hydration as a year-round safety control, reinforcing access, reminders, and expectations so fatigue and focus don’t quietly erode safe performance.

3. Carbon Monoxide Exposure Is a Quiet Winter Threat

Winter conditions increase the risk of , particularly as facilities seal up to retain heat and portable heaters, furnaces, generators, and idling vehicles are used more frequently. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and early symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and nausea are often mistaken for fatigue or illness, allowing exposure to continue longer than it should.

Federal and state safety agencies that enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces — including vehicle cabs, trailers, maintenance areas, and loading bays — are especially vulnerable during colder months. Snow-clogged exhaust systems can also cause carbon monoxide to accumulate inside running vehicles.

Because carbon monoxide doesn’t present obvious warning signs, it remains one of winter’s most dangerous and underestimated risks. Managing it effectively requires ventilation awareness, equipment maintenance, and monitoring practices that account for seasonal exposure changes — even in spaces that typically feel controlled.

4. Winter PPE Can Create New Challenges

Additional layers are essential in cold weather, but they can also interfere with movement, visibility, and grip if not evaluated carefully. Bulky clothing may restrict range of motion. Gloves can reduce dexterity. Face coverings can affect visibility or the fit of eye and head protection. emphasizes that personal protective equipment must function as a system, particularly when conditions require layering.

For flame-resistant or arc-rated clothing, improper layering can also compromise protection if moisture isn’t managed correctly or incompatible materials are worn together. Winter PPE should support the task at hand — not simply add layers — ensuring protection, mobility, and control work together rather than against one another.

5. UV Exposure Increases When Snow Is on the Ground

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure doesn’t disappear in winter — and in some environments, it intensifies. Snow can reflect up to , increasing exposure for outdoor workers, drivers, and equipment operators even on cold or overcast days.

Because workers are dressed for warmth, winter is often underestimated. Yet exposed areas such as the face, neck, ears, and hands remain vulnerable. Reflected UV rays can also contribute to eye strain and temporary vision impairment, affecting depth perception and situational awareness.

Managing winter UV risk means accounting for environmental reflection and visual strain in planning, reinforcing eye protection and awareness so glare and reduced visibility don’t compromise safe decision-making.

6. Fatigue Builds Faster in Winter

Shorter daylight hours, disrupted sleep patterns, and the added physical effort of working in cold conditions all contribute to . Over time, fatigue affects judgment, reaction time, and situational awareness. continues to link fatigue with increased injury risk across industries — particularly in roles requiring sustained attention, decision-making, or physical coordination.

Because fatigue develops quietly, it can be one of winter’s most underestimated risks. Managing it requires anticipating its cumulative impact — adjusting schedules, workload, and supervision so quiet declines in alertness don’t translate into errors, slowed reactions, or serious incidents.

Turning Awareness Into Action

What these hazards have in common is subtlety. They don’t always announce themselves, and they rarely feel urgent in isolation. But together, they shape how work unfolds throughout the winter season.

Organizations that manage winter risk effectively tend to reassess conditions regularly — indoors as well as outdoors — adjust expectations for pace and equipment performance, and reinforce awareness around cold stress and fatigue. They treat cold-weather workplace safety not as a checklist, but as an operational reality.

At 91şÚÁĎÍř, Risk Management teams work alongside agents and policyholders to help identify these less visible exposures and translate them into practical, site-specific action — before winter conditions disrupt people or operations.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released from soil and rock. It moves upward through the ground and enters buildings through foundation cracks, floor drains, sump pits, and utility openings. Once inside, it can accumulate—especially in lower levels or enclosed spaces—and long-term exposure carries serious health consequences.

Health officials radon contributes to about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and the leading cause among people who have never smoked.

Where Time Indoors Shapes Risk

Radon risk is less about job title and more about time spent inside buildings.

Healthcare professionals working extended shifts. Manufacturing teams operating near ground level. Construction crews occupying newly enclosed or temporary structures as projects progress. In each case, exposure potential increases simply because people are present for long stretches in spaces where radon can build up.

Environmental data that nearly 1 in 15 U.S. homes has elevated radon levels, and similar conditions have been documented in schools, hospitals, offices, and industrial facilities across all 50 states. Radon levels can vary widely—even between buildings next door to one another—making testing the only reliable way to understand risk.

A Hidden Risk That Builds Over Time

Radon’s impact isn’t immediate. Its risk grows gradually, over years of exposure, which is why public health experts emphasize early identification and control.

To put the risk in human terms: for every modest increase in long-term radon exposure, the chance of developing lung cancer rises noticeably. International health authorities that sustained exposure at higher levels can raise lung cancer risk by roughly 15–20%, depending on duration and concentration—similar to adding another long-term health risk into the environment where people spend much of their working lives. From a workplace perspective, that makes radon a measurable and manageable risk—especially when addressed early.

“Radon often comes into focus during renovations, expansions, or changes in how space is used,” said Eric Austin, Risk Management Expertise at 91şÚÁĎÍř. “Those moments create a natural opportunity to test, assess, and address exposure as part of a broader safety conversation.”

From Testing to Confidence

Public health guidance is consistent on one point: testing is the only way to know radon levels. Short-term tests offer an initial snapshot, while long-term testing provides a clearer picture of ongoing exposure. Radon exposure at work most often occurs in areas closest to the ground—such as basements and lower levels—particularly where ventilation is limited. Because radon has no smell or visible warning signs and levels can change over time, periodic testing of occupied ground-level spaces is essential.

When elevated levels are identified, proven mitigation techniques—such as improved ventilation or sub-slab depressurization systems— indoor radon levels by as much as 99% when properly designed and installed. Reviewing test results against established action levels helps organizations determine when these straightforward steps can significantly reduce exposure and protect employees’ long-term health.

At 91şÚÁĎÍř, Risk Management teams help agents and policyholders consider environmental risks like radon alongside more familiar workplace hazards. That may include guidance on when testing makes sense, how to interpret results, and how indoor air quality fits into broader risk management strategies for construction, manufacturing, and healthcare operations.

This is where awareness turns into confidence—and prevention becomes practical.

A Week to Reassess What Matters

Radon Awareness Week is a reminder that workplace safety extends beyond what’s visible or immediate. It includes the conditions people experience every day, over time, inside the buildings where work gets done. Organizations that address radon proactively protect long-term health, strengthen trust with employees, and demonstrate leadership that looks beyond the obvious.

To learn how 91şÚÁĎÍř’s Risk Management experts can help you assess and address radon risks in the workplace, visit 91şÚÁĎÍř.com or connect with your Risk Management expert.

The information provided in this newsletter does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

Most workplace injuries don’t come from rare, catastrophic events. They often occur in familiar moments — climbing a ladder, servicing equipment, moving materials, or working at height on a busy day. When pace and routines speed up, even the strongest safety practices can lose focused attention.

That reality is reflected in this year. For the 15th straight year, fall protection leads the list, followed by hazards tied to everyday work across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare environments.

Taken together, these citations paint a clear picture of where risk continues to surface in routine work — not because safety is ignored, but because it can be challenged by changing conditions, time pressure, and familiarity.

Focused on Where Risk Shows Up

1. Fall Protection – 5,914
2. Hazard Communication – 2,546
3. Ladders – 2,405
4. Lockout/Tagout – 2,177
5. Respiratory Protection – 1,953
6. Fall Protection Training Requirements – 1,907
7. Scaffolding – 1,905
8. Powered Industrial Trucks – 1,826
9. Eye and Face Protection – 1,665
10. Machine Guarding – 1,239

These patterns align with broader national injury trends. Recent federal labor that falls, overexertion, and contact with equipment continue to account for a significant share of serious workplace injuries and days away from work — disrupting operations and affecting workers across industries.

Where Focus Becomes Action

Organizations that see progress treat this list as a working guide. They stay close to how tasks are performed, refresh training as conditions change, and reinforce expectations before issues arise. That might mean revisiting ladder setup and inspections after schedules shift, reinforcing lockout/tagout procedures during maintenance periods, or re-emphasizing fall protection as crews rotate or job sites evolve.

That same approach shapes 91şÚÁĎÍř’s engagement across the safety landscape — including active participation alongside organizations like the (NSC), where emerging research, real-world data, and field-tested solutions help inform how safety is practiced — not just documented.

“OSHA’s Top 10 doesn’t surprise many of us—but it does remind us where risk continues to surface,” said Ashley Parker, Risk Management Manager at 91şÚÁĎÍř. “Most hazards emerge in everyday work, not isolated events. When leaders pair national insights with what front-line workers are actually experiencing, prevention becomes proactive instead of just compliant.”

Looking Ahead

OSHA’s Top 10 list offers clarity — not as a compliance exercise, but as a reminder of where focused attention delivers the greatest return. Each category represents an opportunity to strengthen habits, protect people, and support steady operations. When prevention is built into how work actually happens, these insights help organizations focus their efforts where they matter most.

91şÚÁĎÍř’s Risk Management experts work alongside agents and policyholders to translate these insights into practical, site-specific action—drawing from field experience, national safety research, and like those outlined in OSHA’s construction and general industry regulations

To learn how 91şÚÁĎÍř’s Risk Management team can help strengthen your safety program, reach out to your 91şÚÁĎÍř Risk Management expert.

Behind every meaningful change in insurance are people leading and willing to share what they’ve learned. 91şÚÁĎÍř’s expert employees regularly contribute their expertise to industry conversations—through articles, panels, and speaking engagements—helping translate real-world experience into ideas that strengthen the insurance experience for our agents and policyholders.

91şÚÁĎÍř Guidewire Transformation Team – 2025 Innovation Award Winner, Guidewire Connections Conference, (Watch some of the 91şÚÁĎÍř team talk about the impact of our Guidewire initiative

Steve Donnelly, Chief Service Officer – Elected Board Member, RISE Advisory Board,

Matt Latham, Purchasing Manager – Presenter and speaker, From Pitch to Approval: Building a Business Case for CLM,

Ryan Anderson, Risk Management Technology Manager – Presenter and speaker, Leveraging Technology to Improve Workplace Safety,

Kimberly Vaughn, Vice President of Claims – Presenter and panel member with the Topics included:

AI Wins and Wipeouts: Lessons from the Insurance Frontlines

Fireside Chat: Communication & Executive Presence

Strategic Litigation Management: Driving Efficiency, Controlling Costs, and Protecting the Brand

Meg Palchak, Loss Sensitive Programs Experience Manager – Winner, 2025 Guidewire All-Star Class, Guidewire

Ashley Parker, Risk Management Manager – Presenter and speaker,ĚýEnvironmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS) Conference,

John Coffaro, AVP of Premium Audit – Presenter and panel member,ĚýIncreasing Auditor Efficiency and Reducing Operational Strain and 91şÚÁĎÍř’s Payroll Validator,

Stay tuned for more in Q1! We’ll share the latest news, media mentions and speaking engagements from 91şÚÁĎÍř right here on theĚýNewsroomĚýeach quarter.

Yet the businesses that fare best each winter aren’t simply lucky. They succeed because they prepare early, respond quickly, and build habits around treating winter slips and falls not as inevitabilities—but as preventable, manageable risks.

Below is a winter safety framework designed to empower organizations to stay ahead of the season, protect their people, and reinforce the kind of operational resilience that pays dividends long beyond the thaw.

Stronger Practices

1. An Emergency Response TeamĚý

When winter weather shifts, the timing matters. Conditions can deteriorate in minutes, not hours, and risk escalates just as quickly. Organizations that designate a —even a small one—gain a decisive advantage.

This team monitors live updates from the and regional forecast offices, watching for winter storm warnings, freeze advisories, and wind chill alerts that directly correlate with elevated slip-and-fall hazards. Their role is simple but powerful: communicate early, activate protocols quickly, and give leadership real-time situational awareness.

“Winter safety starts long before anyone steps outside,” says Scott Pike, Risk Management Expertise Specialist at 91şÚÁĎÍř.

“When your organization pays attention to the early indicators—dropping temperatures, shifting forecasts, the first signs of refreeze—you’re able to get ahead of the conditions instead of being caught off-guard. That kind of preparation isn’t complicated; it’s simply paying attention in a way that makes everyday movement safer for everyone.”

2. Winter-Ready Buildings

Ice doesn’t appear out of nowhere—it forms from runoff, refreeze, poor drainage, and unseen wear-and-tear. A seasonal inspection can reveal the small issues that create the biggest risks. A strong winter readiness check should cover:

• Handrails that stay steady when everything else is slick. Stable rails reduce injury severity and remain a core expectation within federal safety guidelines.
• Gutters and downspouts that move water away—not onto—walkways. Blocked or damaged gutters can send water straight onto walking paths, where it refreezes into black ice by dawn.
• Drains kept clear of leaves and debris. Clogged drains allow meltwater to pool across sidewalks and entryways, freezing into wide, nearly invisible sheets.
• Exterior lighting that turns dark corners into safe pathways. Adequate illumination is one of winter’s greatest risk-reducers, emphasized across federal and state safety recommendations.

These aren’t dramatic fixes—but they are deeply effective. Winter safety is strengthened long before the first snow arrives.

3. Snow & Ice Removal

When snow piles up, the clock starts. Delayed removal leads directly to injury spikes, access problems, and business disruptions. A strong winter safety program includes:

• Clear access for emergency crews: Hydrants, standpipes, and hose connections visible and unobstructed for rapid response. Snowdrifts shouldn’t hide lifesaving equipment.
• Salt, sand, and traction materials stocked at every entrance: Quick access to traction agents allows staff to address developing hazards before slip-and-falls occur.
• Well-maintained interior mats and clear “Wet Floor” signage: Water-absorbent mats can prevent the tracked-in meltwater that often leads to lobby falls. Curled or bunched mats—common in winter—should be replaced immediately to avoid trip hazards. Floor mats inside of doors that are saturated with water should be replaced often, and water on the floor around the mats should be mopped up regularly.
• Emergency exits: Emergency and secondary exits must be checked to make sure that ice on the exterior does not keep the door from opening. Sidewalks from emergency exits should be kept clear of ice and snow as this can slow emergency egress from the building.

These show-not-tell practices help employees and visitors see that safety is not an annual campaign—it’s a daily choice. Each action reinforces a culture where winter hazards are handled with intention, not reaction.

“Many winter slip-and-falls happen in the everyday areas of operation—entryways, curbs, loading zones, the walk from the parking lot,” Pike notes. “When these spaces are cleared, drained, and well-lit, people instinctively move with more confidence.”

“It’s not always about big interventions—it’s about the consistent care that prevents the small hazards from becoming bigger ones.”

Looking Ahead

Winter doesn’t have to weaken operations or morale. With a thoughtful plan, consistent inspections, and proactive mitigation, organizations can dramatically reduce slip-and-fall incidents and create safer, more confident pathways for employees and guests.

At 91şÚÁĎÍř, we partner with businesses across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare to strengthen their winter safety strategies, reinforce day-to-day readiness, and build cultures that move with intention—even when the ground beneath them is unpredictable.

To explore more or connect with an 91şÚÁĎÍř Risk Management professional, visit our website.

The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

For businesses with fleets, these aren’t abstract statistics. They’re daily realities that shape delivery schedules, workforce safety, claim frequency, and operational continuity. And yet, winter can also be navigated with confidence—when preparation meets practical strategy.

Five Essential Winter-Driving Safety Practices

Control Speed:

On slick pavement, control becomes a physics problem as much as a driving skill. that stopping distance increases dramatically on snowy or icy surfaces, making even small speed reductions a meaningful safety advantage. Slower acceleration, steady braking, and a balanced grip on the wheel give tires the friction they need to stay connected to the road—turning what could be a skid into a controlled correction.

“Winter driving isn’t about being overly cautious—it’s about being deliberately in control,” says Marcus Rasberry, Risk Management Manager at 91şÚÁĎÍř. “Small adjustments in speed or pressure on the brake pedal can be the difference between a close call and a collision.”

Increase Following Distance:

Visibility and reaction time drop sharply during winter weather events and icy pavement can significantly delay vehicle response, which makes added for preventing collisions. Extending following distance to 8–10 seconds builds in the reaction time drivers lose to snow glare, plow spray, and sudden patches of ice. That buffer becomes an operating margin—space to brake safely, redirect around stopped vehicles, or adjust when traction shifts beneath the tires.

Winterize:

Mechanical readiness is one of a fleet’s strongest defenses against seasonal hazards. Pre-trip inspections take on heightened importance during winter because essential systems—defrosters, lights, wipers, cooling components— under cold stress. Clean headlights improve roadway visibility, strong wipers cut through freezing precipitation, and keeping tanks above half helps prevent fuel-line freeze-ups.

Equip a Winter Readiness Kit:

When conditions shift quickly, preparedness becomes protection. Recommended include simple but crucial tools: a snow shovel, broom, ice scraper, jumper cables, traction material like sand or cat litter, emergency flares, blankets, water, and nonperishable food. These items turn an unexpected delay—from a whiteout to a stuck tire—into a manageable pause rather than a crisis, giving drivers the resources to stay warm, visible, and connected until help arrives.

Stay Ahead of the Weather:

Some of winter’s most dangerous conditions are the ones drivers can’t immediately see. “,” a thin and nearly invisible glaze of frozen moisture, forms quickly when temperatures hover near freezing. Monitoring forecasts before departure helps drivers anticipate these hazards, while the National Weather Service’s provides insight into when cold exposure becomes a concern for drivers who exit their vehicles for inspections, secure loads, or assist at job sites.

“Awareness gives drivers an edge in winter,” Rasberry adds. “When you understand how fast conditions can change, you make smarter decisions—not just behind the wheel, but in the moments before and after every trip.”

Your Post-Trip Safety Inspection

Winter driving doesn’t end when the engine shuts off. The moments after a trip often reveal the hidden risks that accumulate mile by mile. A thoughtful walk-around gives drivers a chance to spot the issues that winter hides in plain sight. It’s a quick but powerful practice that reduces overnight freeze-ups, helps prevent morning breakdowns, and supports safer departures long before the next route begins. Drivers should look for:

• Ice buildup on lights, mirrors, steps, and wheel wells, which can reduce visibility and create slip points when entering or exiting the cab.
• Packed snow around tires, brakes, and undercarriage components — areas that can freeze solid overnight and interfere with braking systems the next morning.
• Cracks in lights or lenses caused by rapid temperature changes or road debris, especially during sub-freezing conditions when materials become more brittle.
• Damage from tire chains, including cuts in tires, bent fenders, or loosened components.
• Snow or slush covering safety sensors such as ABS modules, lane-assist cameras, and radar-based collision-avoidance systems—critical technologies highlighted across federal roadway safety resources for their role in preventing winter crashes.

This simple loop around the vehicle transforms winter from a source of unpredictability into an opportunity for control. It’s one more way to strengthen the safety chain—and one more example of how small habits, done consistently, help fleets move through winter with greater confidence and fewer surprises.

Looking Ahead

At 91şÚÁĎÍř, we partner with employers across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare to help build resilient safety programs year-round. Winter may be unpredictable, but with the right strategies in place, your response doesn’t have to be. To explore more winter-weather safety insights—or to connect with an 91şÚÁĎÍř Risk Management professional — visit our website.

The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

As your business evolves — whether through expanded headcount, new facilities or new equipment — the insurance premium you pay should evolve accordingly. 91şÚÁĎÍř’s annual premium audit gives you a confident, accurate view of your true exposures and ensures your coverage reflects your business today.

Why Does an Annual Premium Audit Matter?

Insurance carriers base premiums on estimated exposures such as payroll, sales or subcontracted labor. Because those metrics naturally shift over time, the final premium must align with actual operations — not last year’s estimate. With 91şÚÁĎÍř’s annual premium audit service, you gain clarity: you see exactly what the carrier reviewed, and you know the premium you pay is aligned with your business today.

“At 91şÚÁĎÍř we believe the premium audit is a strategic checkpoint — not a surprise,” says John Coffaro, AVP, Premium Audit at 91şÚÁĎÍř. “It gives our policyholders the visibility they deserve and ensures they are paying only for the risk they actually carry.”

Key features of our annual premium audit include a straightforward, web-enabled process designed to fit your schedule, premium audit consultants who understand your industry and business, and a timely, fair review of your operations—including payroll, sales, subcontracted labor liabilities, and departmental roles—to ensure your coverage accurately reflects your current exposures.

How the Annual Premium Audit Works at 91şÚÁĎÍř

1. 1. After your policy period ends, your 91şÚÁĎÍř auditor schedules a consultation to review your operations and exposures.
   2. You’ll gather the material — payroll registers, tax journals, ledgers, certificates of insurance for subcontractors — and provide subscriber access via our Premium Audit Portal powered by .
   3. In the portal you upload payroll data (it accepts many major third-party payroll providers), document business operations via the intuitive questionnaire, and share other required files.
   4. Your auditor reviews the submitted materials and collaborates with you to determine final exposures.
   5. The outcome: your premium is either confirmed correct as originally estimated, reduced (if exposures were less than estimated) or adjusted upward (if exposures were greater). Either way, you come away with assurance your coverage cost matches your business.

Our Premium Audit Portal Highlights

• Automated status emails keep your team informed.
• 24/7 secure access, enabling uploads, profile updates and shared visibility with your auditor.
• Payroll Validator feature reduces manual entry — automatically loads payroll from compatible providers.
• Same-day visibility for you and the auditor.

The Business Case for Premium Audits

Beyond transparency and fairness, an annual premium audit carries strategic value for policyholders in the manufacturing, construction and healthcare industries. For one, accurate classification of job roles and exposures helps avoid paying for risk you no longer bear. For carriers, timely and accurate audits premium leakage and bolster underwriting integrity, especially as technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics are increasingly applied to audit workflows.

From a risk-management perspective, audit outcomes are connected to workplace safety: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that worker injuries and illnesses have fallen from about 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to approximately 2.4 per 100 in 2023. Meanwhile the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 5,283 fatal work injuries in 2023 across U.S. workplaces (a rate of roughly 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers).

While these numbers don’t directly dictate premium audit outcomes, the underlying safety culture, classification accuracy and exposure transparency influence how auditors evaluate operations and how carriers price risk.

“In short, the audit is more than paperwork,” explains Coffaro. “When you complete the audit process, you not only validate your operations — you position your business to control cost, optimize classification and ensure your premium is right.”

Best Practices for Policyholders

Start Early: Have your payroll register job duties by role subcontractor certificates and income and expense logs ready. These are among the most requested items.

Use Our Portal: simplifies the upload process and keeps your audit on-track.

Collaborate with Your Auditor: The consultation is your chance to explain operational changes (new facility, major equipment, headcount shifts) and ensure they’re accurately captured.

Leverage the Outcome: If the audit shows lower exposure than estimated, you may be eligible for a refund or credit. If exposures are higher, use the results to budget and optimize for the next policy period.

Turn Audit Insights into Strategy: Use classification and exposure details from the audit to guide safety, cost-control and operational planning. Accurate classification supports proper premium treatment and a reliable experience-mod, strengthened by OSHA’s requirement to maintain clear injury and illness records.

Looking Ahead

In a time of evolving labor models, business growth and technological innovation, premium accuracy matters more than ever. 91şÚÁĎÍř remains committed to investing in audit transparency, digital convenience and consultative expertise so businesses can benefit from coverage that aligns with real-world operations.

Discover how 91şÚÁĎÍř’s Premium Audit service delivers clarity, transparency, and confidence in your coverage. Learn more about the process, explore helpful resources, or connect with an expert auditor today.