Are you ready for winter on campus?

With winter just around the corner, do you know how to walk safely on slippery areas to prevent slips, trips and falls? Or how to report an injury (or near miss) if you do fall? Or what about how to report snow-covered or icy sidewalks or roadways on campus? Read on to find prevention tips to help make this winter a safe one on campus.

Avoid injury by practising safe winter walking

Just remember — do the penguin shuffle! Follow these tips to help you stay on your feet while walking on snowy or icy areas:

• Point your feet outward like a penguin
• Take short, shuffle-like steps
• Keep your arms at your sides and out of your pockets
• Concentrate on keeping your balance
• Watch where you are stepping
• Go slowly

On top of doing the penguin shuffle, wear appropriate winter footwear even if you’re only going a short distance, and try to find footwear with traction. Stay on pathways and designated areas and give yourself additional time to get where you’re going. Keep both hands free for balance rather than in your pockets, and don’t text and walk at the same time. Read more safe winter walking tips.

Report snow-covered and icy sidewalks to Customer Care

One of the best ways to avoid injury is to help prevent snow and ice buildup by reporting snow-covered or icy sidewalks and roadways. Facilities management crews do their best to clear snow and ice as quickly as possible, but you may find some areas are slippery as you cross campus.

If you see an area that needs attention, there are a few ways to report it to the snow clearing team in Facilities: call the Customer Care Centre at 403-220-7555, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; submit a service request online through ARCHIBUS; or send an email to myfacilities@ucalgary.ca.

Know what to do if you, or someone you see, are injured due to a fall

If you fall on snow or ice and are injured — or it happens to someone else — call Campus Security at 403-220-5333 to report the injury or 911 in cases of emergency, then contact the Customer Care Centre to report the slippery area. It is important to also report any near misses or injury incidents in the university’s Online Accident Reporting System (OARS).

Visit the Facilities website to learn more about snow and ice control on campus.