BLOG NUMBER 21.95
As temperatures begin to drop once again, we have to begin to anticipate the cold weather conditions that are on their way. Snow, freezing rain, and ice pose unique risks to your business and its patrons in the cold weather months. There are certain vital precautions and protocols to take to ensure the safety of everyone who steps foot on a property. A snow removal and slip & fall expert witness will instruct any property owner to hire a professional to maintain certain areas during cold weather. Here are six areas of your property to keep an eye on as we transition from fall to winter this year.
- Parking Lots and Driveways
This first area of your property should always be front of mind during cold weather. It’s the first place where people will arrive on your property and should be kept in safe, clean condition as much as possible. It’s extremely important to be proactive in treating parking lots, pavement, and driveways to get ahead of whatever weather is coming. This includes performing maintenance on any breaks in the surface of pavement like potholes, cracks, or other spots of concern. Another component to consider is lighting. Poorly lit areas of a parking lot or drive can prove to be especially dangerous in the cold months, and this is an easy fix. Lastly, closely monitor the weather in the winter. If you are anticipating a serious drop in temperature, salt should be spread throughout the parking lot and driveway ahead of time.
- Walkways and Sidewalks
Just like parking areas and driveways, sidewalks and walkways require regular maintenance for safety as well. It’s equally important to keep these areas free of cracks, breaks, or crumbling materials. These surfaces should also be sprinkled with salt to prevent slips, falls, or other accidents. Be sure not to neglect any handrails on your property either. Wobbly or unstable handrails pose an additional risk and should be fixed, especially before the winter months.
- Entrances
Entryways and exit doors should be cleared of snow and ice. A non-slip mat is a very easy, cost-effective way to add another safeguard against accidents happening on your property. There are indoor and outdoor varieties of these mats to explore. When snow or ice do present, it’s important to monitor indoor surfaces for any puddles or bits of snow that need to be taken care of. These should be mopped and cleaned up as quickly as possible to minimize your risk effectively. A good accident prevention plan includes a WET FLOOR sign that should be immediately and clearly posted as often as you feel is necessary.
- Stairs
Stairs, steps, and stairwells should be kept completely dry and clear as much as possible. These are also areas that should be treated with salt if outdoors or in an open-air stairwell. Adhesive strips for additional grip may be a good addition to any outdoor steps on your property.
- Roofs
An area less commonly considered is the roof. Excessive accumulation of snow on the roof of your building can pose its own set of risks. If you find this to be the case, hire a professional snow removal company to remove the excess snow. This will decrease the risk of snow or ice falling on a patron or even causing a leak or other damage in the roof as the snow will inevitably melt.
Hire a snow removal or slip & fall expert witness today to ensure your property is safe and ready for the cold weather that is to come!
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