Ice Cleats & Traction Devices
Slips on ice and snow cause thousands of serious injuries every winter, from broken wrists to head injuries. Slip-on traction devices give your boots grip on ice, but they need to match the surface and come off at the right time.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Delivery & Drivers
Photo: slip-on ice cleats with carbide studs over a work boot on an icy walkway
Types
| Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Coil or wire cleats | Light ice and packed snow; flexible and comfortable for walking |
| Stud cleats (often carbide) | Ice on sidewalks, parking lots and yards |
| Spike or crampon-style | Thick ice and steep ground; not for walking on hard floors |
| Heel-only cleats | Drivers who get in and out of cabs often; less grip than full-foot |
Make sure the cleat fits your boot size and stays on. Your employer may provide them when icy conditions are a work hazard.
When to take them off
- Indoors on tile, concrete, steel and wood floors, where metal studs can be more slippery
- On ladders, steel beams, decking and truck steps, where cleats can slip or catch
- When driving, since cleats can slip off pedals
Keep a mat and a spot at building entrances to take cleats on and off safely.
Walking on ice
- Take short steps, keep your weight over your feet, and walk flat-footed (the “penguin walk”).
- Keep your hands out of your pockets for balance; carry less.
- Use handrails, and three points of contact getting in and out of vehicles and equipment.
- Assume wet-looking pavement is black ice.
- Knock snow and ice off your boots before entering buildings or climbing.
Fix the surface first
- Walkways, stairs, ramps and parking areas plowed and salted or sanded before shift start
- Downspouts and roof melt kept from refreezing on walkways
- Good lighting on walkways in dark winter mornings
- Entrance mats to catch meltwater indoors
Standards & references
- OSHA: Winter weather
- See also: Slips, Trips & Falls · Cold Stress
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