With winter officially upon us it’s worth talking to your fellow leaseholders about the benefits of gritting your communal areas.
If you don’t have a policy in place, it might be worth considering one. Statistics show that falls and trips increase during the winter, reflected in the increased number of breaks and sprains presented at hospital A&E departments.
As a freeholder or director of an RMC company, you have a duty of care so it’s worth thinking about how you can protect yourselves and your visitors from the hazards of a freezing winter, no matter how big the site.
Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations (1992) says: “Arrangements should be made to minimise risks from snow and ice which may involve gritting, snow clearing and closure of some routes, particularly outside stairs, ladders and walkways on roofs.”*
Outsourcing the clearance of snow and ice to a professional contractor is usually best practice and especially recommended if heavy snowfall is forecast. Ideally, pick a company with adequate kit – snow ploughs and grit spreaders are ideal for large areas. If you decide to tackle the job in-house, make sure you have a proper plan of action and a list of who is responsible for doing what.
Keeping a decent supply of rock salt and clearance equipment isn’t usually high on our list of priorities, especially in the UK where our winters can be mild compared to many of our European neighbours. But as we all know too well, when it goes wrong, snow can bring the whole country to a halt.
Check out our top tips to help you keep your community safe this winter: