The colder weather is upon us and as temperatures continue to drop the surfaces around us like sidewalks and streets are starting to ice over and become more and more dangerous. This danger extends to the workplace as well as icy surfaces at work can become a hazard that may lead to an injury and force you to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim.
Particularly if you work outside during the winter months, icy surfaces can become a real problem and cause serious injury or worse. Industries that are commonly associated with workplace injuries such as construction workers are at an even greater risk as the temperatures decrease and surfaces get slippery.
If you are put in a situation where your employer has not addressed an icy surface you can take the following steps;
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Work around the surface and leave anything that is out of reach undone until the issue is addressed.
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Wear different footwear that has better grips along slippery surfaces. You may need to go from your typical work boots to a more durable boot with better treads.
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Spend the time to de-ice a surface yourself. While this may not be in your job description and certainly may not be your responsibility it could help protect you from falling and experiencing a workplace injury.
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Ask to be transferred to a different part of the job until the weather conditions are more conducive to a safe environment for you and your co-workers.
It is not your responsibility to concern yourself with working conditions, especially as it relates to weather conditions, that responsibility lies with your employer. If she/he does not address these concerns and it leads to an injury while you’re at work you may need to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim.
Our attorneys are board certified and extensively experienced in the process of filing claims in tandem with our clients. If you need to file a claim and need help walking through the process, don’t hesitate to call our team and we will review your case to make sure your long-term interests are protected.
