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Essential Winter Safety Tips for Your Workplace

The new year brings fluctuating workloads and unpredictable winter weather, and with them some potential safety challenges that need to be addressed by employers. We've provided some health and safety tips for business owners to consider over the next few months.

Winter Weather

Winter brings slippery conditions caused by ice, snow and wet floors, significantly increasing the risk of slips, trips and falls. Employers must be proactive in identifying and managing these hazards.

  • Clearing pathways and entrances: regularly gritting or salting walkways and car parks is essential to prevent ice building up, and reduce the risk of slipping.
  • Signage for wet floors: indoor areas can become hazardous as staff bring in snow or water from outside. Ensure you have appropriate health and safety signage to warn of wet floors and clean up entrance areas quickly.
  • Proper footwear: encourage employees to wear appropriate footwear with good grip during winter to avoid slips on ice or wet surfaces.

Conducting a risk assessment to identify areas where slip risks are higher can help create a safer environment.

Managing increased deliveries and stock levels

Many companies experience a spike in deliveries and stock levels from mid-January, once the holiday period is over and businesses get back to normal working patterns. This can lead to overcrowded workspaces, increasing the risk of accidents.

  • Safe stacking: ensure stock is safely stacked and stored to prevent items from falling and injuring staff. Keep aisles and access routes clear at all times.
  • Manual handling: with increased stock movement, reminding staff about proper manual handling techniques is essential. Consider manual handling training to reduce the risk of back injuries or strains during busy periods; if your team is due a manual handling reminder, make it a New Year’s resolution to book onto one of our courses.

Fire safety precautions during the festive season

Fire risk is increased during winter months, whether from heating systems or increased electrical use. As an employer, it is vital to prioritise fire safety.

  • Check fire alarms and extinguishers: regular checks and maintenance of all fire alarms are crucial to ensure they function correctly when needed. Similarly, fire extinguishers must be serviced regularly and kept in easily accessible locations.
  • Review emergency exits: always keep emergency exits clear of stock or recycling and make sure fire safety signage is clearly visible.
  • Heating equipment: all portable heaters need to be in good working order and used safely; always keep them away from flammable materials.

Preparing for common winter injuries

Certain types of injuries are more common during the winter months, including slips on ice, burns from heaters or lights, and minor injuries from manual handling.

  • First aid kits: these must be stocked with necessary supplies and easily accessible.
  • First aid training: having first aid-trained staff on site is crucial in addressing injuries promptly and efficiently. First aid training prepares your team for potential accidents and can significantly reduce the severity of injuries. We can provide First Aid Training courses on site, at a local designated training facility or at our Gainsborough Head Office.

Winter driving and travel safety

Winter weather can make travel risky, especially for employees who drive as part of their job. Employers should take steps to maintain the safety of employees on the road.

  • Vehicle maintenance: If your employees use company vehicles, ensure they are serviced and ready for winter driving conditions. Check tyres, brakes and lights regularly.
  • Winter driving training: Provide guidance on safe winter driving such as reducing speed, keeping a safe distance and avoiding unnecessary journeys in bad weather.
  • Flexible working: To avoid unnecessary risks, consider allowing flexible working arrangements during adverse weather conditions. These might include remote working options or adjusted shift patterns.

Public liability insurance for winter events

If your business is hosting an event, ensuring you have the right public liability insurance is crucial. This protects your company in case of injury to guests or damage to property during the event. Consult your insurance provider to confirm your coverage includes event-related risks, especially those heightened during the winter season such as fire or injury due to heating issues.

Contact Us

Winter weather conditions require employers to reassess workplace safety. By investing in manual handling and first aid training, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring proper signage and public liability insurance, employers can create a safer, more enjoyable environment throughout the winter months.

If you need any support or are unsure about any safety measures, don't hesitate to contact our teams using the details below.

Health and Safety
healthandsafety@skaltd.co.uk
01427 420 402

HR & Employment Law
hr@skaltd.co.uk
01427 420 403

Training
training@skaltd.co.uk
01427 420 405

Risk Solutions
risksolutions@skaltd.co.uk
01427 420 404

Disclaimer

The information and any commentary contained within these updates are for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal or any other type of professional advice. Stallard Kane does not accept and, to the extent permitted by law, exclude liability to any person for any loss which may arise from relying upon or otherwise using the information contained in these blogs. If you have a particular query or issue, you are strongly advised to obtain specific, personal advice about your issue and not to rely solely on the information or comments in these updates.
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