Your guide to safe winter walking on campus

As winter settles in across Indiana, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is reminding the campus community to stay alert when navigating snowy, icy or slushy conditions. Taking a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of falls and injuries during the colder months.

Stay safe with these winter walking tips:

• Plan your route. When possible, use cleared and treated walkways, pedestrian subwalks or skywalks to move between buildings.
• Wear appropriate footwear. Choose sturdy, slip-resistant shoes and remember to remove ice cleats once indoors.
• Walk with care. Slow your pace, take shorter steps and maintain steady footing; especially when transitioning from outdoor to indoor surfaces.
• Keep hands free. Avoid carrying heavy or bulky items so you can use your arms for balance.
• Use handrails. Hold railings on stairs or ramps to help prevent slipping.
• Take the elevator when available. Snow and ice tracked indoors can make stairways unexpectedly slick.
• Enter and exit vehicles safely. Use the door frame or seat for support, as parking lots often remain icy longer than sidewalks.

For snow removal questions or requests, contact the Grounds department at 765-494-3087. Grounds will coordinate with other departments as needed, while Building Services manages snow removal at building entrances, ramps, steps and nearby sidewalks. Contact your building deputy for specific concerns.

Additionally, self-serve ice melt buckets are being distributed across campus. To request buckets for a facility, contact David Miskin, senior manager of Building Services, at miskin@purdue.edu.

Individuals and departments are also encouraged to take advantage of the new EHS Slip Simulator, located in the Materials Management Distribution Center. Slips, trips and falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, and the simulator provides hands-on practice in recognizing hazards and using safe walking techniques on slick surfaces. It offers an effective, and surprisingly fun, way to build awareness and reduce risk. For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Kraus, EHS safety specialist & instructional designer, at jakraus@purdue.edu.

EHS also offers a printable winter walking safety infographic, available in 11”x17” format, for posting on campus bulletin boards.

EHS, Grounds and Building Services, part of the Administrative Operations organization, are committed to supporting the university with safe, reliable and transformative services. By sharing safety tips and assisting with snow removal, they help ensure the campus community can navigate winter conditions safely and effectively. To learn more and stay up to date about the daily operations of the organization, follow us on Instagram at @purdueoperations and Facebook at Purdue Administrative Operations.