On The Safe Side

The following locations had ZERO workers' compensation claims from October 1, 2019

through December 31, 2019.

The Golden Safety Cone Award is to recognize employees in our District who have demonstrated excellence when it comes to safety. Each building has their own Golden Cone. Anyone can make a nomination, so if you see someone being SAFE, please nominate them! Nominations can be sent to the Safety Cone Ambassador at each building. Please contact your building safety committee for more information.

Check out these Golden Safety Cone Award winners!

The most frequent reasons for winter weather-related accidents are:

• Limited or reduced visibility.

• Limited or reduced traction.

• Aggressive braking on a slick road.

• Inability to judge safe speed for conditions.

• Poor negotiation of a curve.

• Failure to prepare vehicle properly.

• Failure to plan route properly.

• Failure to adapt to changing weather patterns.

Proper planning, preparation, and driving can result in successful completion of a trip. Here are some tips drivers can use to help reduce the risk of a crash while driving in the winter.

Plan your trip accordingly. Check weather forecasts and possible construction areas along your route, chart fuel and meal stop locations, and allow extra time for traffic delays.

Compensate for poor traction by slowing down and making all movements gently. Never drive faster than conditions allow!

Double or triple your following distance and never tailgate. Try to build as much separation between you and other vehicles. Keep at least a ten second following distance when driving on snow- and ice-covered roads – avoid driving in packs.

Black ice is a weather phenomenon in which an extra thin layer of ice forms on the road. Its shine can fool drivers into thinking it’s water. This shiny ice surface is one of the most slippery road conditions. Black ice is likely to form first in shady spots, at intersections, and under bridges and overpasses.

Approach bridges and overpasses cautiously. Bridges and overpasses are often the most dangerous in the winter, since they freeze before roadways. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If anti-lock brakes happen to lock, release them to avoid sliding. This will help to regain steering.

If you begin to skid:

• Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral.

• Then steer in the direction you want your vehicle to go.

• Before the rear wheels stop skidding, shift to drive and gently press the accelerator.

• Do not slam on the brakes.

Stay alert.

Turn on your lights and keep them clean.

Turn off the cruise control. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

Watch for melting or hard packed snow and strong side winds.

Check for ice by feeling the back of your mirror and watching the spray off tires

Don’t ask your vehicle to do more than it can.

If you don’t feel comfortable driving, park it.

Always wear your seat belt.

Kate Maguire-Stressman is the winner of 10 pairs of WinterTrax brand ice cleats to share among her colleagues at the Sioux City Community School District. Kate answered all three questions correctly in United Heartland's WalkSafe quiz in November and was selected as the winner.

Congrats, Kate!

Kysa Hagemann

Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Safety and Benefits

Email: hagemak@live.siouxcityschools.com
Location: 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6692

The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.

The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.

Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.