winter weather...slip slidin' away

[ktwlpn]

Compared to what people live with in other areas I'm almost ashamed to vent this but I gotta let it go! We had a couple of inches of snow after midnight and the temp actually rose.The roads were good but when I arrived at work the parking lot was a sheet of black ice.Numerous staff slipped and fell and there was a car accident IN THE FREAKING PARKING LOT! Where was the nursing supervisor?Did she assess the situation? Did anyone THINK to tell the night shift guards to prep the lots prior to shift change? Did they think " Wow,look at that snow,maybe I had better check the sidewalks and parking lot? NO! The crap should really HIT the FAN tomorrow but my DON has a history of blaming the STAFF in this type of situation.We have been told to carry shovels and salt in our cars and that our "stupid shoes" caused us to slip...I'm telling you and I mean this- the next time I roll up in there to a mess like this mornings fiasco I am calling from the car and sitting right in the parking lot until the area is treated.I could fall and get injured to the extent of never being able to work the floor again.....Yikes....

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

The nursing supervisors, DON and the admin are ultimatly responsible,IMHO.

I have a very hard time believing this when it comes to ice in the parking lot. Let's say that written policy says the DON is responsible to make sure the parking lot is clear. Then I'm sure the DON would be out there constantly because of the liability (legal/financial) he/she takes on by being responsible for the parking lot. I just can't believe the policy is written like that. Just because it is your opinion does not make it true. You may not like your DON or nursing supervisors; however, they have no responsibility to make sure the lot is not icy. How many times the supervisor goes to smoke has nothing to do with her responsibility in the matter.

When I worked at a LTC facility, they made a point of telling us during orientation that an icy parking lot was everyone's responsibility. Yes, it ultimately fell on maintenance to shovel/salt. However, if anyone (nursing supervisor down to dietary aide) saw that their was a potential safety issue--such as a very slick spot in the lot, a giant hole in the sidewalk pavement, etc.--it was their duty to tell maintenance so that they could go out there and correct the issue.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I want to first clear up the fact that I never said anything about liking or not liking anyone.

We have an atypical chain of command as evidenced by the fact that the heating or a/c is not adjusted without a directive from the supervisor or someone above her in admin.The fact that the supervisor goes out and smokes during the shift just proves to me that she knew the conditions in the area.So-actually where I work the supervisor IS responsible for making sure that the night shift guards are carrying out there duties.

Whose problem will it be when we are short staffed due to injury? I have never seen conditions like the ones that are typical in this facility.I could become injured and be unable to work and I don't want to go through that,thank you very much.

Furthermore many of us called the supervisor from the parking lot and from the floors after we arrived. I have since been told that the guards could not find the material to spread.It is clear to me that the maintenance dept. should have prepared months ago for winter weather and insured that all staff knew where to find it,it's also clear to me that the DON and Administrator are ultimatly responsible and should insure that this does not keep happening.

If someone slips and falls on my sidewalk aren't I responsible?As a prudent homeowner I got my supplies out and put them in an accessible place in Novemeber because I actually care about the people that may use my sidewalks.