Duke Outlines Plan for Severe Winter Weather

Durham, NC - When Valorie Little arrived for work at Dukes Carolina Family Practice office in Cary last Jan. 30, a touch of snow and thin layer of ice still coated the ground.

She parked, got out of her car and decided to take a short cut of about five steps down a gentle, grass-covered slope.

I immediately thought, I better not slip, and as soon as that happened I lost my footing and went right down, said Little, a patient service associate who had hip replacement surgery three months prior. I had snow down my pants, up my shirt, and my lunch bag went flying. A coworker nearby grabbed my orange as it rolled away.

Luckily, Little wasnt hurt beyond a few aches the next day, but the impact of the event stayed with her longer.

God forbid I had done something to my hip, she said. Its worth taking an extra minute or two to use a walkway. Theres no need to rush like that.

Littles experience was not unique last winter between December 2013 and March 2014, employees submitted 65 workplace injury reports related to severe weather. The incidents ranged from bruises and scrapes to broken bones.

Chip Kyles, director of Workers Compensation, said that most incidents happened because faculty or staff used uncleared paths that are typically safe during warm months.

To stay safest during severe weather, Duke community members are reminded to follow the campus snow and ice removal plan, which clears priority sidewalks and building entrances. Areas to avoid are sloped surfaces, stairs, ramps and paths not identified as preferred routes, according to the plan.

With the official start of winter on Dec. 21, staff and faculty are encouraged to review Dukes severe weather policy to prepare for potential ice and snow this season and to ensure roles and responsibilities are understood during severe weather.

This season, the National Weather Service reports the Southeast may see below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation this winter, but a repeat of last years extreme cold, snowy conditions is unlikely.

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Duke Outlines Plan for Severe Winter Weather