NORTHAMPTON, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- As winter weather settles over western Massachusetts, residents face the annual threat of snow and black ice, with workplace injury statistics highlighting the scope of the problem.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly three out of 10,000 full-time workers in the Commonwealth miss a day of work each year due to ice-related injuries or illness.

At Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Dr. Sundeep M. Shukla works in the emergency department where he’s seeing more ice-related injuries.  “As an emergency room physician, I’ve seen a lot of people who have had falls, they’ve broken hips, they’ve broken wrists, they’ve had head injuries,” he explained. “Many people are on blood thinners and those people are at-risk for having head injuries that are more significant because they’re on the blood thinner.”

Shukla said he experienced the danger firsthand this weekend when he slipped on black ice at night in a poorly lit area, though he was able to catch himself without injury.  “Everyone’s at risk,” he added.

Many common ice-related incidents happen after snowfalls on unshoveled driveways or sidewalks.  When outside this winter, proper footwear is essential and, if a fall occurs, experts recommend falling on your side rather than using hands to brace the fall.  “I think people have to be aware of their surroundings, what they have on their property, so making sure that your property is clean of snow, there’s no black ice,” he noted. “And if you need to hire someone, you may have to do that.”

He noted that certain groups face higher fall risks, depending on age, medications, and alcohol consumption. When walking on ice is unavoidable, Shukla recommends taking short and wide steps, similar to how a penguin walks.

Copyright 2025. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.