Winter Workplace Health and Safety
Health and safety is important at all times of the year, however during winter even more dangers can occur that workplaces mightn’t take into consideration. Winter comes with many extra challenges, such as the weather, and although employers can’t control the weather, they can control the things that weather causes, meaning it falls under their jurisdiction for health and safety.
From ice on the ground on the pathway to your building to poorly lit areas, anything can happen during the winter months and it’s your duty to keep your employees and any visitors safe. As a business, you should be looking to reduce as many winter hazards and dangers as possible, to help keep your employees safe.
It’s important not to avoid winter health and safety measures, as there are things that are easy to carry out and would help you to avoid fines and even being sued. Keep reading below to find out more about some of the most common winter hazards for the workplace and how you can deal with them.
Common Business Winter Hazards
When it comes to winter hazards, these are generally things that are outside but likely still fall within your remit as an employer. With winter weather typically bringing heavy downpours and snow and ice, there are lots of accidents waiting to happen right outside your front door. Some of the most common winter hazards that affect businesses are:
- Iced over areas such as pathways, entranceways and car parks
- Black ice build up in car parks and entrance roads
- Sodden built up leaves
- Leave build up can also hide dangerous paving or holes
- Outdoor verges can quickly because dangerous or boggy during winter weather
- Poor outdoor lighting in areas relating to the business, making it harder for employees to safely navigate
Improving Outside Health and Safety in the Winter
Eliminating risk can be impossible to do, especially with the ever changing weather during the winter, however there are still a number of things you can do as an employer to help reduce those risks. It is expected that reasonable measures are taken to protect employees and visitors and that includes during winter. Some of the things you can do to help reduce winter health and safety hazards are:
- Ensure areas such as your car park are kept gritted
- Remove any build ups of leaves
- Place warning signs or cones around areas you believe to be too dangerous
- Make sure people aren’t using areas that are too dangerous or areas they shouldn’t be such as verges, encourage people to stick to the road and pathways
- Install better lighting in dark areas outside your building
- Consider fitting an entrance canopy to help keep the entranceway to your property clear
Need Help Improving Winter Health and Safety
Worried you aren’t doing enough during the winter relating to your health and safety, then we can help. At Safetynet Scotland, we offer a wide range of health and safety services, covering audits, risk assessments and much more. No matter what your winter health and safety needs might be, we have you covered. Just contact us today for more information or to arrange an appointment with one of our health and safety consultants.
