As NC settles in for the Winter 2020 Term, many students, staff and faculty will be experiencing their first NC winter and for some their first Canadian winter. Niagara College’s Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is taking this opportunity to share some wisdom to help the college community tackle the unique hazards that present themselves on campus.
The Joint Health and Safety Committee is a cross-departmental committee consisting of representatives from support staff, faculty, and administrative staff at the College, who work together to identify and report health and safety issues at the College and recommend workable solutions. The Committee also promotes safety awareness on campus and provides health and safety guidance to the college community at large.
Slips, trips and falls on campus are the most common causes of on-campus injuries. Here are the committee’s top three tips for staying safe this winter.
Walk like a penguin:To avoid falls when walking on potentially slippery surfaces, walk like a penguin! Bend your knees slightly, point your toes outward, and keep your hands at your sides. Take short, flat-footed steps, and walk slowly.
Wear appropriate footwear: During inclement or slippery weather, wear footwear with grippy, slip-resistant soles and good ankle support. When carrying books or other items, when possible, use a backpack to ensure your hands are free to protect yourself in case of a fall.
Watch for changes in pathway slopes or levels: Snow or ice-covered walkways and paths can hide steps, slopes or changes in elevation. Walk slowly and take the clearest, most familiar route to your destination, and never text while walking. Also, watch for debris, unsecured rugs and mats that may pose a slipping hazard.
In addition to preventing slips, trips and falls, the Joint Health and Safety Committee and the College Health and Safety Specialist noted there has been a rise in hazards resulting from students, staff and faculty who use their mobile devices while walking the campus. Texting and walking is becoming an increasingly common occurrence on campus. In today’s connected culture, when more and more of our daily lives are spent glancing down at a screen, it’s especially important to be aware of your surroundings while travelling around campus, and save the texting for when you’ve reached your destination.
More information about the JHSC can be found online at niagaracollege.ca/jhsc/. Also watch for posters around campus in 2020.
