Healthy,
safe and
productive lives
and enterprises

Sample Dynamic Site-Specific Risk Assessment for Ice (/Snow) Slips and Falls

Dynamic risk assessment is a continuous assessment of risk in changing circumstances, e.g. severe weather, to implement controls. The following is a sample site-specific risk assessment to be conducted in snow and/or ice conditions. Additional questions should be added as required.

Snow and Ice Dynamic Risk Assessment

Tactile Assessment

 Yes No N/A Action
Does the walking surface look or feel slippery?        
Have you lost your footing or started to lose your footing?        
Has your vehicle slipped or lost grip?        
Has road noise in your vehicle stopped? (Can indicate sheet ice on the surface)        

Visual Assessment

 Yes No N/A Action
Does the temperature gauge in your vehicle show a temperature below 2oC?        
Can you see the walking surface clearly to assess any hazard?        
Has the sun been shining on the frosted areas where you may have to walk?        
Are there areas where the walking surface is shaded?        
Is there ice or snow on the walking surface?        
Have you seen anyone slip?        
Are there changes in level?        
Are warning signs visible?        
Has a pathway been cleared to the premises?        
Has the pathway been sanded/ gritted?        
Are pedestrians using the site wearing special ice/snow footwear?        

Proposed Activity

 Yes No N/A Action
Does your proposed activity add additional hazards, e.g. manual handling?        

Availability of Suitable Footwear

 Yes No N/A Action
Do you have footwear available to allow you to proceed safely?        

Local Factors

 Yes No N/A Action
Identify any relevant local factors here        
         
         

Decision

 Decision
Proceed carrying load  
Proceed without load and hands free  
Proceed with caution (using safety footwear or additional precautions)  
Do not proceed  

Ice slips can be an important part of Slip Risk Assessment and Prevention

A risk assessment approach to ice slips and falls should consider

  1. Weather
  2. Activities
  3. Locations
  4. Communication
  5. Sample Dynamic Risk Assessment

See Ice, Snow Further Information