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Fall Protection Friday: The Ice Hazard
Full Brim Safety: Build Smart, Build Safe
The Safety Man
January 23, 2026
Fall Protection Friday: The Ice Hazard
This Week’s Toolbox Talk Attached Below!
Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! Winter conditions introduce variables that can render standard fall protection systems ineffective. On a frozen site, a "safe" walking surface can become a high-risk zone in minutes. Ice as an inevitable nuisance, but it is a predictable hazard that requires specific administrative and engineering controls.
Under OSHA 1926.501, employers must ensure that the walking/working surface has the structural integrity to support employees, which includes maintaining a surface free of slipping hazards. This is both at height and on the ground.
The Surface Maintenance Protocol
Ice formation often occurs in "transition zones"—areas where workers move from a heated trailer to the site or from a ladder onto a frozen deck. These areas require constant monitoring and treatment.
Abrasives and Melters: Sand, salt, or calcium chloride must be applied to all primary walkways, stairwells, and access points before the shift begins.
Ladder Rungs: Ice buildup on ladder rungs is a primary cause of 3-point contact failure. Rungs must be chipped clear or treated with non-slip materials. Never use an icy ladder.
Snow Removal: Snow can hide trip hazards and floor openings. No worker should be allowed on a roof or elevated deck until the snow has cleared and the underlying surface is inspected for ice and structural integrity.
Frozen Fall Protection Hardware
Extreme cold and moisture can affect the mechanical functionality of Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS). Equipment that works perfectly in the summer can fail in sub-zero temperatures.
SRL Lock-up: Moisture inside a Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL) can freeze, causing "nuisance locking" or, more dangerously, preventing the braking mechanism from engaging during a fall.
Gate Failure: Ice buildup inside the springs of snaphooks and carabiners can prevent gates from fully closing and locking. A connector that is not "clicked and locked" is a system failure.
Webbing Stiffness: Nylon and polyester webbing can become stiff and difficult to adjust in extreme cold. If a harness cannot be adjusted for a snug fit over winter layers, the worker is at risk of falling out of the harness or sustaining internal injuries during a fall.
Footwear and Traction
The effectiveness of fall protection is supported by the friction between the boot and the surface.
Equipment | Requirement |
Boot Tread | Must be deep and free of mud/ice. Worn soles provide zero traction on frozen surfaces. |
Ice Cleats | Removable traction devices (like Yaktrax) should be used on flat, icy ground but must be removed before climbing ladders or walking on steel beams to prevent tripping. |
Leading Edge Work | On frozen steel, the coefficient of friction is nearly zero. Work should be suspended until the steel is de-iced or mechanical traction is provided. |
Implementation: The "Morning Freeze" Audit
Before work begins on an elevated surface:
Test the SRLs: Pull the cable out to ensure it retracts and locks properly without sticking.
Clear the Access: Ensure the ladder or stairs used to reach the work area are de-iced.
Check the Connectors: Manually verify that every snaphook gate snaps shut and locks.
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-The Safety Man
