Worst UK Winter for Decades

Prepare your house, car and business.

If we’re to believe recent weather reports of “The worst UK winter for decades: Record-breaking snow predicted for November”, then we can be sure of utter chaos on roads and high-streets up and down the UK!

Let’s be honest, it only takes a few inches of snow to bring our country to a standstill – if things are going to be as bad as predicted, perhaps we should all batten down the hatches now and get ready to sit it out?

Nonetheless, we can be sure of some testing weather conditions which ultimately makes getting about and working a little harder than normal.

To help you we have compiled some general safety tips to get your home, car and business prepared for winter. This list is by no means exhaustive – if you would like some further advice or guidance for your given environment please get in touch with us.

Driving Safety

Figures from the Department for Transport (DFT) show that across Great Britain in 2011, 32 people were killed and 3,912 people were injured in reported road accidents when there was snow or ice on the road surface.

• Always check the traffic and weather reports for your journey;
• Check the local and regional traffic reports for any localised issues.
• Allow an extra 20 minutes for short journeys, 30 minutes for longer ones – better to be early than dead.
• Make sure your car is ready for winter – keep oil, water, screenwash and brake fluid topped up.
• Check the tyre pressures – adjust them for winter and wet conditions if necessary.
• Pack an emergency kit into the boot – first aid kit, torch, water bottle, blankets, hazard triangles, coats, hats, gloves, emergency contact numbers, snacks that will last!
• If you live or travel in rural locations consider snow tyres or snow chains – if your work is that important that you must be there come rain, shine, sleet and snow, you may as well make an investment into these items.
• The best option would be to stay home – if you can work from home then discuss an emergency policy with your boss to cover those days when travel becomes dangerous.

Trips, Slips and Falls

The Hospital Episode Statistics for England, reported that there were 4,314 admissions to hospital in 2011/12 due to trips, slips and falls on snow or ice.

• Wear appropriate footwear – snow and ice are no place for your new Jimmy Choo’s or Italian men’s leather brogues.
• Try and keep to gritted paths and walkways.
• If the council have made grit available, use it outside your house, driveway and pathway.
• Help old and frail people – say no more!
• Allow yourself extra time to get anywhere – even if you’ll be ok in the conditions, the roads and pavements will be teaming with others who aren’t!
• Prepare a basic first-aid box to keep at home and/or work.
• Learn basic first-aid – our 1-day ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ course can help you develop the skills necessary to become a competent and confident First Aider in your work place. On completion you will be awarded an ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ certificate, valid for 3 years.

Home Safety

Freezing cold weather puts a strain on heating systems, boilers and wood burners and they can often break down during the colder months.

The elderly are at particular risk to the dangers of hypothermia – it is the main contributing factor in cause of death for more than 400 people aged 65 and over each year.

• Make sure gas fires and boilers are serviced properly – if you have a wood fire or burner, make sure it’s safe, wood is stored safely and the equipment is working properly, i.e. flumes are cleared, door catch works properly.
• Prepare an emergency kit – candles, torch, batteries, first aid kit, light bulbs, matches and/or a lighter.
• Make sure blankets are easily accessible – check heated blankets are safe.
• Be wary of Christmas tree lights near paper and presents – unplug them when unattended for long periods.
• Fit CO alarms – with heating appliances under strain there is an increased risk of faults and CO poisoning.
• Keep an eye on elderly and frail neighbours – on particularly cold days try and check-in on them to make sure they’re OK.
• Clear pathways and driveways and treat them with grit – you may have to repeat this throughout the day.

Work Safety

As a business you are well advised to consider the ‘winter risks’ within your business – this will help not only your compliance with legal duties but it can also help avoid costly insurance claims which could lead to a significant increase in premiums.

The level of risk will vary from business to business but the most common areas of risk are; ‘Driving at Work’, ‘Slips, Trips and Falls’ and ‘Working Outside’.

Before it gets too cold, now is the time to make sure that you have the right precautions in place and that they are effective.

• As a business, you have a legal duty to ensure that you have considered the risks, not only to employees, but also to others who use your premises.
• Stock up now on grit and salt – don’t leave it until it’s too late and supplies are scarce.
• Make sure all pathways and entrances are cleared and treated – you may need to do this throughout the day so don’t do it once and think that’s suffice.
• Never use boiling water to clear a pathway – unless you want a temporary ice-rink outside your front door!
• Make sure your staff have the appropriate personal protective equipment and winter attire – suitable footwear, jackets, gloves or protective gear if necessary.
• Check that any staff or company cars are serviced and ready for winter – check oil, water, screen-wash and brake fluid levels are topped up, tyres are inflated correctly and prepare an emergency kit for the boot. See ‘Driving Safety’ (above) for a suggested list of contents.
• It may be appropriate to introduce a ‘Winter Driving Policy’ – thought should be given to those days when travel becomes dangerous for alternative working options i.e. Home working on those days.
• Is your IT set up for employees to be able to work from home if the need arises?
• More information can be found on the ‘Gov website‘ – here you will also find some information and guidance on clearing ice and snow.
• Access the risk for your environment – our 1-day ‘Risk Assessment’ course can teach you how to assess risk in a practical way using a variety of different methods. You will gain not only an understanding of the risk assessment process but also the confidence to undertake and record assessments themselves.

This list of checks is by no means exhaustive and each environment will have its own dangers and cautions to be aware of.

Taking a few minutes now will help ensure your business continues to run smoothly this winter, keep staff and others safe and keep on the right side of the law!

Above all, use your common sense – if something seems potentially dangerous, it probably is, so take action.

If you would like any personalised advice to a given situation, or if you would like to discuss winter safety in more detail, please get in touch with us – 0117 958 2070 or email us; info@acornsafety.co.uk.

We hope this helps.

The Acorn Team
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25% Off All Courses – December 2013