Winter weather poses threat to workers and property

Winter weather poses significant risks to workers, customers, vehicle fleets and commercial properties, impacting everything from slippery walking surfaces and road conditions to building integrity. 

The financial toll of winter storms is not new, but its scale has escalated dramatically. Over the past decade, the U.S. has experienced a consistent pattern of severe winter events that result in insured losses reaching into the billions. These are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, more costly trend associated with extreme weather patterns. 

This volatility presents a significant challenge for the insurance industry. Understanding how to reduce these risks is crucial to support personal safety, fleet operations and commercial property management. Here’s a look at how businesses can confront the challenges of cold weather and reduce weather-related accidents, property damage, and injuries. 

Recent events

Insured property losses from winter storms have varied over the years, but have been trending higher over the last 10 years and have averaged $7.6 billion in losses over the last five years. For historical context, here is a look at extreme events over the past few years that led to power outages and damage such as frozen pipes and roof collapses: 

• February 2021 – A catastrophic winter storm that swept across a massive portion of the country, causing widespread power outages, frozen pipes, and structural damage. The storm resulted in an unprecedented $27.2 billion in insured losses, making it the costliest winter event ever recorded in the United States. This event demonstrated how a single, prolonged winter storm can have devastating financial consequences on a massive scale. 

• December 2022 – This winter storm brought a combination of heavy snow, high winds, and bitter cold. It led to widespread travel disruptions, power outages, and extensive property damage. The insured losses from this event alone tallied $9 billion, making it the third costliest U.S. winter event since 1950. 

• January 2024 – In January 2024, an arctic wave gripped the country and temperatures plunged below freezing – even in southern states. The storm caused more than $3.6 billion in damages across Central, Southern and Northeastern states. 

Worker safety

Hypothermia and frostbite are chief safety concerns in frigid conditions. Also, walkways and parking lots should be cleared of snow and ice to prevent slips and falls. Timers for lighting should be adjusted to ensure visibility as daylight hours become shorter. 

Here are resources from Nationwide Risk Management that can be shared with your clients: 

• Recognizing signs of frostbite – Help employees protect themselves when they work in sub-freezing temperatures. 

• Reducing weather-related slips and falls – Guidance to help keep walking surfaces clear and dry to help keep workers and customers safe. 

• Snow and ice removal programs – Learn about snow preparation, snow removal contractors and what to do if an injury occurs on the property. 

Winter fleet preparation

According to the Federal Highway Administration, about 70% of the nation’s roads are in areas that receive snow, and each year there are nearly 900 fatalities and 76,000 injuries resulting from vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet. 

Preparing drivers and fleets for wintry weather is important and can involve routine maintenance such as ensuring: 

• All-weather tires with proper tread depth are mounted and properly inflated 

• Wiper blades effectively clear the windshield 

• Heaters and defrosters are in good working order 

• Vehicle batteries are holding their charge and working properly 

Driver preparation is also a critical component in mitigating risks. Training that focuses on winter driving techniques, such as maintaining safe distances, understanding braking systems like ABS, and recognizing the signs of black ice are crucial. Drivers should also be prepared with emergency kits containing essentials like blankets, flashlights, and food in case of breakdowns. 

Please share the following resources with your clients: 

• Preparing fleets for winter – Driving in winter weather requires special preparation and a different approach than most of the year.  

• Winter driving infographic – Information to share with drivers to help them stay safe on winter roads. 

Commercial property winter preparation

The risk of property damage from these events is high, but taking precautions can help mitigate the threat. 

• Proper insulation – Insulation is vital to ensuring that properties can withstand the cold, and helps reduce heating costs. 

• Pipe protection – Frozen pipes can lead to bursting, resulting in costly water damage. Pipes should be insulated in unheated areas and a consistent indoor temperature should be maintained. Property owners should also allow faucets to drip during extreme cold to prevent freezing. 

• Keep the roof clear – Roof integrity should be inspected and weak spots addressed to prevent collapse under heavy snowfall. Gutters and downspouts should also be inspected for blockages that could lead to ice dams. 

• Prepare for a power outage – Ice and snow accumulation on power lines can lead to outages. A backup power source such as a generator or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can provide power to critical systems during an outage. 

Share the following with commercial property owners to help them keep their structures safe: 

• Protect your building from winter weather – Steps that business owners can take to prevent damage caused by winter weather. 

• Snow and ice on rooftops – Information to help prevent roof collapses due to snow, ice and rain accumulation. 

• Prepare automatic sprinklers for winter – Preventing fire sprinklers from freezing is critical to help manage risk to property. 

Helping clients prepare for winter challenges helps reduce claims and strengthens client relationships by demonstrating a commitment to their long-term success. Additional resources can be found on Nationwide’s risk management website.