Too much snow! Getting to work late again.

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New winter storm coming your way!! Are you prepared? Is your workplace prepared? With all the snow lately what is your workplace doing for backup when an employee can't make it in? What can we do to prepare when there's too much snow? Share your thoughts, policies, etc ... anything that can help.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Snow tires are illegal in my state I use to use them religiously until outlawed, 4wheel drive for me.[/quote']

I don't know where this started but you still can....

No person, except a duly authorized person driving an emergency fire vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle equipped with metal studded tires upon a public way between May the first and November the first; provided, however, the registrar may authorize the use of such tires before November the first, if weather conditions require the use thereof
Which means they still can be used
studded tires are permitted from November 2 to April 30.
I have a 4 wheel drive and use tire chains when necessary....http://www.ooida.com/EducationTools/Info/chain-laws.asp
Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section16

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Okay, I have to defend my hometown--again. What happened two weeks ago was, in all honesty, a perfect storm. For one thing, it was forecasted to hit south of the city and a light dusting starting around 1:00 p.m. but it started at 10:00 much farther north. The few times it snows down here, it'll start snowing and people go home, the slushy snow on the road will freeze overnight and people stay home the next day. Two weeks ago, and I've lived here my entire life and have never seen this, the snow melted on the road and froze within an hour. They dismissed schools early and people left work early but the roads were a solid sheet of ice. It wasn't localized to one part of the metro Atlanta area, it was every road in every area. The DOT say they pretreated the roads but the initial snow washed the brine solution off the roads. NOBODY could drive in it because it wasn't 2" of snow, it was 1" of ICE. We do not have snow tires down here and snow chains aren't allowed. And regarding the last line, about "nobody knows how to drive on snow or ice" I'd like to point out that there are more people living in metro Atlanta that are from up north than those of us born and raised down here. My tires spun on the icy hills right next to my Michigan-raised husband's tires. Truckers were getting stuck in it, and they're trained to drive all over the country in every different scenario.

Sorry if it seems like I'm yelling, but I am so sick and tired of the stereotypes about my home and wanted to set the record straight. We only have snow/ice like this every 3-4 years. Metro Atlanta is a very hilly region which adds to the treacherous driving conditions with ice. We're under a winter weather advisory today and schools have already been called off and precautions are being made to avoid becoming the laughingstock of the country.

I have to say I completely understand how difficult in Atlanta that day. Your cities do not have the resources and the drivers don't have the experience to drive in these conditions....and you just can't drive on ice. Contrary to popular belief tire chains are not illegal when the conditions present however the conditions are just never really there to be worth the investment.
Georgia

As with most states that rarely encounter snow and ice, Georgia will permit the use of tire chains or tires equipped with safety metal spike studs upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice.

Click here for the reg.

However if you live where a foot of snow is average....shame on you if you aren't prepared.
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the last facility i worked at took the attitude of 'we don't give a **** about you; slide on the ice until you get here, or else'. my current facility will pick you up in a company vehicle that's as winterized as possible if there is severe winter weather.

how curious that some facilities consider it important to do what they can to ensure their workers' safety, and others don't. for the places that simply can't find it in their budget to provide this service, perhaps they can deduct the cost from the CEO's annual bonus. Surely they would jump at the chance to put a miniscule fraction of their multi-million dollar packages toward ensuring the safety of the workers who break their backs every day to make them rich?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
and you just can't drive on ice.

I have studded chains, considerably more aggressive than regular chains. I carry in my truck. With them on and in four wheel drive I can drive very well on glare ice. My chains are actually desinged for ice fishermen who drive their cars on frozen lakes. On two occasionas I have use my truck with studed chains on to yank police cars out of ditches, one a local deputy sherrif, and once a state trooper.

Contrary to popular belief tire chains are not illegal when the conditions present however the conditions are just never really there to be worth the investment.However if you live where a foot of snow is average....shame on you if you aren't prepared

I agree with you 100%. I don't really blame people who live in the south for not being prepared for snow and ice, but for those of us who choose to live in the snow belt where an ice storm or deep snow is to be expected several times a year at least, well there really isn't an excuse to have not made a plan to get to work in severe weather. Our hospital is considering investing in a couple of snow machines for the security officers to use to bring people to work. I think insurance isn't going to let it happen, but it's being talked about.

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Specializes in ICU.

Studded chains. That sounds like the way to go. Take the $50 ticket, but at least you can get around and out of trouble. Cheaper than wrapping your car around a pole or even just getting pulled out of a ditch.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Studded chains. That sounds like the way to go. Take the $50 ticket, but at least you can get around and out of trouble. Cheaper than wrapping your car around a pole or even just getting pulled out of a ditch.
I like my tire chains they are easy to put on and If I put them on I'll take the ticket if the police pull me over....the last time I used them it took me almost 5 hours for a 50 min commute.
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You're no good to your patients if you decide not to come to work. Seriously, if you're going to live where snow is a fact of life and work someplace that operates 24/7/365 even in bad weather, you're going to have to deal with it. Get a four wheel drive, figure out someone brave enough to drive you to work in the snow, or whatever. Ski, take a snowmobile or rent your own danged hotel room. Why should the hospital have to pay for it?

Sheesh. If snow was such a BFD, why take the job in the snow belt? Why live in the snow belt?

I've been in nursing for a 8 years at the bedside, so obviously getting to work in the snow is not new to me. I've got to work plenty of times in storms, and there were times when I just couldn't make it and my employer was OK with that. Every year I do my best to get to work, but if I don't show up the hospital will remain open and life goes on. It is that simple. Once again, my safety is a priority. If my current employer wants staff to attend work on time then it is there responsibility to make sure the staff can get there and have a place to sleep if needed. This is the first place I've worked where the hospital doesn't offer anything to the staff.

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Specializes in Oncology.
Okay I have to defend my hometown--again. What happened two weeks ago was, in all honesty, a perfect storm. For one thing, it was forecasted to hit south of the city and a light dusting starting around 1:00 p.m. but it started at 10:00 much farther north. The few times it snows down here, it'll start snowing and people go home, the slushy snow on the road will freeze overnight and people stay home the next day. Two weeks ago, and I've lived here my entire life and have never seen this, the snow melted on the road and froze within an hour. They dismissed schools early and people left work early but the roads were a solid sheet of ice. It wasn't localized to one part of the metro Atlanta area, it was every road in every area. The DOT say they pretreated the roads but the initial snow washed the brine solution off the roads. NOBODY could drive in it because it wasn't 2" of snow, it was 1" of ICE. We do not have snow tires down here and snow chains aren't allowed. And regarding the last line, about "nobody knows how to drive on snow or ice" I'd like to point out that there are more people living in metro Atlanta that are from up north than those of us born and raised down here. My tires spun on the icy hills right next to my Michigan-raised husband's tires. Truckers were getting stuck in it, and they're trained to drive all over the country in every different scenario. Sorry if it seems like I'm yelling, but I am so sick and tired of the stereotypes about my home and wanted to set the record straight. We only have snow/ice like this every 3-4 years. Metro Atlanta is a very hilly region which adds to the treacherous driving conditions with ice. We're under a winter weather advisory today and schools have already been called off and precautions are being made to avoid becoming the laughingstock of the country.[/quote']

I live in the SE too and wanted to say thanks for this PSA. Most people assume we are all bumpkins that don't know how to drive in the snow, when it is actually the ice that is problematic. Preach.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Studded chains. That sounds like the way to go. Take the $50 ticket, but at least you can get around and out of trouble. Cheaper than wrapping your car around a pole or even just getting pulled out of a ditch.

In any kind of weather that needs chains the cops are not out giving tickets. They are too busy with other stuff. In any event I have never gotten a ticket, not even when yanking a cop out of the ditch:)

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Just sayin..... :)

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

More snow......:)

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
In any kind of weather that needs chains the cops are not out giving tickets. They are too busy with other stuff. In any event I have never gotten a ticket, not even when yanking a cop out of the ditch:)

I should add that my hours are guaranteed. My hospital doesn't lay us off to save a few bucks. They don't call and say don't come in for the first 4 then call to find out if they need us for 8 or even the last 4. That is why I always come to work. If my hospital abused it's nurses like that and did not make a commitment to us to work then management schedules us I would not feel duty bound to come to work and drive through snow, ice or whatever mother nature throws at me.

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