Ice Grips for the Workplace: Winter Traction for Outdoor Teams

When ice and snow arrive, the working day doesn't stop.

Deliveries still need to be made, depots still need to operate, refuse collections continue, maintenance teams are called out, and essential staff still need to move safely between buildings, vehicles and outdoor work areas.

For employers, facilities managers, safety teams and procurement staff, winter slip risk is a real risk with real consequences. Icy yards, car parks, loading bays, pathways, rural sites and exposed entrances can quickly turn routine walking into a serious hazard.

Gritting, clearing snow, improving lighting, using mats at entrances and diverting people onto safer routes should always be part of a winter safety plan. But where people still need to walk, work or respond outdoors in freezing conditions, the right ice grips can be a practical extra layer of protection.

A commuter may need a compact pair of ice grips for a walk to the station. A dog walker may want extra confidence on icy pavements. A workplace user often needs something more specific.

Industrial ice grips may need to cope with:

• Repeated daily use
• Work boots or safety footwear
• Outdoor yards and uneven ground
• Frozen mud, compacted snow or sheet ice
• Vehicle access and driving
• Steps, entrances and transitions indoors
• Staff who need to put them on and remove them quickly
• Bulk issue across teams or departments

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. The right solution depends on the job, the footwear, the surface and how often the wearer moves between outdoor and indoor areas.

Before choosing ice grips for a team, ask three simple questions.

First, where will the person be walking? Smooth pavements, icy tarmac, frozen yards, steep tracks, rural footpaths and compacted snow all create different traction needs.

Second, what footwear are they wearing? Some staff may wear safety boots, while others use walking boots, uniform shoes, winter boots or overboots.

Third, will they be moving indoors, driving, climbing steps or using ladders? Some aggressive traction systems are excellent outdoors but unsuitable for smooth internal floors. Others are designed to be easier to manage when moving between icy outdoor areas and vehicles or buildings.

For staff who spend much of the day outdoors on icy surfaces, a robust traction product is usually more appropriate than a light commuter grip. Options such as ICEGRIPPER Trek+Work Micro Crampons and ICEGRIPPER ACTIVspikes are designed for confident traction when walking, hiking, trekking or working in winter conditions.

These are the right choice where staff need a stronger grip underfoot and are likely to be moving over compacted snow, icy paths, frozen tracks or rougher outdoor ground.

Where staff already wear work boots, safety boots or uniform footwear, a practical workplace ice cleat can be easier to issue and manage. The K1 Mid Sole Original Ice Cleat is a strong candidate for teams that need traction outdoors but also need to manage transitions, vehicles or ladders.

Because the mid-sole cleat can be rotated away from the sole when required, it's a practical option for workers who frequently move between icy external surfaces and areas where exposed cleats aren't appropriate.

Not every workplace user needs an aggressive industrial cleat. For staff crossing car parks, walking between buildings, attending site inspections or commuting in icy weather, products such as Yaktrax Pro, Yaktrax Chains and Yaktrax Diamond Grip offer practical winter traction in a more familiar walking format.

These suit teams where the main risk is icy pavements, paths, entrances or car parks rather than a full shift on exposed industrial ground.

Some workers face more than an icy pavement. Forestry staff, parkland teams, rural maintenance workers, search and rescue teams, mountain or ski resort staff, and outdoor camera crews may need more aggressive traction.

For these users, micro crampons and crampon-style products such as Kahtoola MICROspikes, Kahtoola KTS Crampons and Nortec Alp Forest Micro Crampons are worth considering. These are designed for demanding winter terrain and should be selected carefully based on the user, surface and task.

Where a team uses dedicated winter footwear, a semi-permanent traction system such as ICESPIKE may be the right call. Installed directly into suitable winter footwear, it suits staff who need their boots prepared for regular icy use rather than fitting and removing a separate grip every day.

Some workplaces may find that separate ice grips aren't the best solution for everyone. ICEGRIPPER Boots, OC System anti-slip boots and NEOS overboots combine warmth, weather protection and winter traction in a single footwear solution.

This is especially relevant for cold sites, wet conditions, rural areas or staff who spend longer periods outdoors.

For larger teams, it helps to think beyond the individual product. A practical workplace winter kit may include:

• A selected ice grip or cleat matched to each role
• Spare sizes for visitors or temporary staff
• Storage bags for keeping grips with the correct user
• Simple fitting instructions
• Guidance on when to remove or rotate traction devices
• Inspection checks for wear, damage or missing components
• Clear rules for indoor floors, vehicles and ladders
• A process for reporting icy areas and near misses
  

An ice grip that sits in a drawer is not protecting anyone. Staff need to know when to use it, how to fit it, where not to use it, and who to speak to if it does not fit their footwear properly.

One product rarely fits every workplace

The best winter traction programme may involve more than one type of product. A facilities manager may need a robust grip for maintenance staff, a lighter option for office staff crossing an icy car park, and dedicated boots or overboots for a small team working outdoors for long periods. A local authority may need different solutions for highways staff, refuse crews, parks teams and emergency-response workers.
That is where specialist advice matters. ICEGRIPPER has tested a wide range of ice grips, cleats, boots and winter traction products and can help match the product to the task.

Stay up to date with ICEGRIPPER news, tips and offers:

Subscribe Now