UK Occupational Health & Safety Winter Weather Safety

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Report snowy or icy conditions

Smart Steps

Taking smart steps starts the moment we park the car or leave the bus – even when we walk out our front door.

Here are some simple tips to keep in mind as you take each step:

Outdoors

Test areas before you step.
Shuffle flat-footed.
Take short steps and walk at a slower pace.
Keep your hands clear and out of your pockets for balance
Stay on cleared paths if possible and avoid icy patches.

Indoors

Stay on mats or carpeted surfaces, if possible.
Kick off ice, snow, and salt on mats.
Be cautious when stepping from one surface to another. For example, when moving from mat to tile, carpet to wood, and so on.
Watch for wet areas.

Bottom line: Slow down and give yourself time to prepare for that next step. Even with these tips, we realize some falls are unavoidable.

Stay Prepared

Keep extra blankets, warm clothes, and emergency kits in your dorm, office, or vehicle.
Know the location of heated campus shelters.
Use the UK Alert system for campus-wide weather notifications.

If You Do Fall....

It may sound counterintuitive at first, but there are simple ways that can make a fall on snow or ice safer than it might be otherwise.

Here are just a few tips:

Forward Fall (also applies to tripping)

Slap the ground with the entire palm & forearm (this avoids breaking your wrist).
Look left or right (this avoids hitting your nose/face on the ground).
Do not make contact with the body; you should end in a modified push-up position with only your toes and forearms touching the ground.

Backwards Fall

Try to bend at the knees & squat before falling.
Tuck chin to chest (so that your head does not contact the ground).
Slap the ground with forearms before the body hits.

Side Fall

Slap the ground with your entire palm and forearm (use your left arm if falling left, and right if falling right). This avoids breaking your wrist
Tuck chin to chest (so that head does not contact the ground).

One of the best ways to prevent a slip or fall starts even before you leave for work. Your choice of footwear can make a big difference. Shoes that seem like great choices for your job on a normal day often are NOT the best choice for snow and ice.

Choose snow boots, hiking boots or shoes with textured soles.

Avoid high heels or dress shoes.

Bonus tip! Use slip-on ice cleats (products like “YakTrax”). Many of these products are easier to put on and remove than ever before, and take up very little room in a bag or under your desk. If you do use a product like this, please remember to remove them before walking indoors (they can damage some floors). From a safety standpoint, products like these are well worth the investment.

Winter Weather Awarness

Winter weather in Kentucky brings hazards that can impact health, safety, and campus operations. Freezing temperatures, icy conditions, and winter storms pose risks for hypothermia, frostbite, slips and falls, and vehicle accidents.

Awareness and preparation help protect the UK community during the coldest months.

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Dress in layers – Wear moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof/windproof outer layers.

Protect extremities – Hats, gloves, scarves, and warm socks help retain body heat.

Stay dry – Wet clothing increases heat loss and raises the risk of hypothermia.

Wear slip-resistant footwear – Ice and snow can make sidewalks and parking lots hazardous.

Warm up gradually – When working outside, take breaks in heated areas.

Drive with caution – Allow extra travel time, keep emergency supplies in your car, and watch for black ice.

Check weather alerts – Stay informed about winter storm warnings and campus closure announcements.

Emergency Focus Hypothermia & Frostbite

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 °F.

Symptoms: Shivering, slurred speech, confusion, exhaustion, drowsiness.
Action: Move the person to a warm place, remove wet clothing, and seek medical attention immediately.

Frostbite occurs when skin and tissue freeze, typically in fingers, toes, ears, or nose.

Symptoms: Numbness, white or grayish skin, firm/waxy feel.
Action: Warm affected areas gradually (not with direct heat), avoid rubbing, and seek medical help.

Smart Routes

What you may not know is that UK Facilities Management has a priority snow-clearing plan based on the volume of walking traffic across campus. Being aware of these WalkSafe sidewalk snow plans can help you pick the smartest route from the parking lot or bus stop right up to the clearest entrance(s) to your building [Some entrances are cleared before others, so it may be worth using a different entrance on snowy days]

Click on the appropriate sidewalk snow plan route link below to learn more. Note: WalkSafe pathways in blue are your best bet for a safe walk to work.

Route #1

Includes Patient Care Facility, Ag North, Garrigus Building, and Parking Structure #1, among others

Route #2

Includes Pavilion H, Markey Cancer Center, Kelley Hall, and other structures

Route #3

Includes Kentucky Clinic, College of Nursing, and others

Route #4

Good Samaritan Hospital and surrounding walkways

Route #5

Includes Memorial Coliseum, Joe Craft Center, Jewell Hall, Blazer Hall, Marksbury and Hardymon buildings, and others

Route #6

Includes Chem-Phys, Gatton College of Business and Economics, Memorial Hall, M.I. King Library, Anderson Building, Engineering complex, Scovell Hall, Funkhouser, Boone Center and others

Route #7

Includes Student Center, Patterson Office Tower, White Hall Classroom Building, Barker Hall, Singletary Center, Fine Arts Building, Stuckert Center, and many others

Route #8

Includes Peterson Building, Taylor Education Building, Art and Visual Studies Building, Cornerstone parking garage Bosworth Hall, and others

Route #9

Includes BBSRB, College of Pharmacy, Lee T. Todd Jr. building, Healthy Kentucky Research building, Anthropology Research building,g and others

Route #10

Includes W.T. Young Library, Donovan and Haggin Hall and others

Route #11

Includes Sturgill Building, fraternity/sorority residences and others

Route #12

Includes The 90, Don and Mira Ball Hall, Chellgren Hall, Lewis Hall, Woodland Glen Halls, Pigman and others

Route #13

Seaton Center, Johnson Center, Sports Center garage, Nutter Training Center, and others