During winter, businesses face more than just cold temperatures. Icy surfaces can create serious risks to employee and visitor safety.
At Lincolnshire Gritters, we believe that workplace safety starts long before the first frost appears. Gritting is a critical part of winter risk management, helping businesses keep their sites safe, accessible, and compliant with health and safety regulations.
So, how can proactive gritting and winter planning protect your employees and visitors? We’re here to break it down.
The Most Common Winter Dangers for Businesses
Winter weather causes slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of accidents for employees, customers, and visitors. The most common risks include:
- Slips and Falls – Icy car parks, walkways, and building entrances are among the biggest hazards in winter. Without proper gritting, employees and visitors are at a higher risk of painful falls and potential legal claims.
- Blocked Access & Disruptions – Snow and ice can prevent safe entry and exit to buildings, leading to operational disruptions and increased risk in emergencies. This can halt deliveries or customer visits.
- Increased Absenteeism – If staff struggle to navigate icy roads and car parks, they may take longer to arrive, or be unable to attend work at all. This leads to reduced productivity and places extra strain on the team.
- Legal Liability – Employers have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. Failing to grit hazardous areas can lead to reputational damage as well as costly compensation claims if someone is injured.
- Financial Impact – Unprepared businesses may experience downtime due to unsafe conditions, loss of customers, and increased costs from accident claims or emergency gritting call-outs.
These dangers highlight why gritting isn’t just about convenience, it’s a key part of workplace safety and risk management. Taking action before ice forms helps businesses stay safe, compliant, and fully operational throughout the winter season.
Winter Safety Best Practices for Employers
Employers can significantly reduce the risk of winter-related accidents by taking proactive steps before the cold weather sets in. Here’s how to keep your site safe, accessible, and compliant throughout the season:
1. Implement a Winter Safety Plan
A well-planned winter maintenance strategy ensures that key areas of your business are treated before frost and snow become a hazard. You can work with a professional gritting provider to create a tailored plan that suits your site’s needs and operating hours.
2. Identify High-Risk Areas
Certain areas are more likely to suffer from ice buildup and slippery conditions. These areas may be:
- Car parks and footpaths
- Building entrances and exits
- Loading bays and delivery areas
- Stairways and ramps
Assessing these areas before winter begins helps businesses prioritise gritting and prevent dangerous conditions from developing.
3. Schedule Gritting at the Right Time
The most effective gritting happens before ice forms. This is known as precautionary salting. Pre-treatment gritting stops ice from bonding to surfaces, making it easier to manage winter conditions. Monitor weather forecasts and ensure regular gritting schedules are in place for high-risk areas.
4. Keep Salt Bins Stocked and Ready To Use
Having stocked up and maintained salt bins on-site can help businesses respond quickly to unexpected icy conditions. Make sure you:
- Keep bins stocked with high-quality salt
- Place them in high-traffic locations
- Train staff on how to use salt effectively
5. Work with a Trusted Gritting Provider
Handling winter safety on your own can be unpredictable and time-consuming. A trusted gritting provider ensures your business stays ahead of icy conditions with expert planning and timely action.
Professional gritting companies offer reliability, efficiency, and expertise, ensuring businesses are protected no matter how harsh winter gets.
By partnering with a dedicated gritting service like Lincolnshire Gritters, businesses can stay compliant, reduce liabilities, and keep employees and visitors safe.
How Lincolnshire Gritters Supports Workplace Safety
At Lincolnshire Gritters, we provide reliable, proactive gritting services to help businesses protect their workforce and meet health and safety obligations.
Here’s how we support workplace safety:
- Pre-Planned Gritting – We monitor weather conditions and schedule gritting before ice forms, reducing slip hazards before they become a danger to your business.
- Tracked Routes & Reporting – Businesses receive real-time updates and reports so they know exactly where gritting has taken place.
- Tailored Gritting Plans – We assess each site individually to ensure the right areas are covered, from car parks to footpaths and entrances.
We help businesses to reduce their risk of workplace accidents, avoid unnecessary downtime, and stay compliant with health and safety regulations.
Don’t wait until icy conditions create hazards, secure your gritting services in advance. By planning ahead, you can ensure operations are run smoothly all winter long.
📞 07748 657302
📧 info@lincolnshiregritters.co.uk
Take control of winter safety today—because prevention is always better than reaction.