Contrary to popular belief, private businesses must grit their premises to ensure the safety of employees, customers, and visitors by keeping pavements, car parks, and entrances free from ice and snow. Martin Mulholland explains.
Legal and safety obligations
Businesses have a legal and moral duty to ensure the health and safety of those accessing their property, which includes keeping surfaces safe from winter hazards. As part of your premises risk assessment you should include the site's access and egress points, such as car parks, paths, and entrances.
All risk assessments must be reasonable and practicable. The actions you take to ensure safe access routes must be defendable in this context. Make sure your process is properly documented as a failure to grit can result in personal injuries leading to fines, personal legal claims, and reputational damage.
Practical gritting requirements
• Monitor weather: Keep a close watch on forecasts to anticipate snow and ice.
• Pre-treat and treat regularly: Apply grit before frost or snow is expected to prevent ice from bonding. Reapply grit during and after snowfall as needed.
• Focus on high-priority areas: Prioritise main access roads, pedestrian walkways, and entrances to buildings.
• Use appropriate equipment: Use a push along spreader to ensure optimum coverage and for even distribution, though manual spreading is suitable for smaller spots. A brush and a shovel will also help with clearance.
• Ensure awareness: Train staff involved in gritting on safety protocols and ensure they use appropriate personal protective equipment. Make sure the staff you ask to perform these tasks do not themselves get injured as a result.
• Make all of your staff aware that they should report any instances of ice build-up, non-coverage of grit or any near misses, etc.
• Monitor post-treatment: Check areas after gritting for any refreezing, especially if temperatures drop significantly.
• Document your actions: Keep records of weather forecasts reviewed, gritting actions taken, and the dates and times of these actions.
• Consider a professional service: You may not have time to manage your premises in this way so employing a professional gritting company can ensure your obligations are met effectively and will also provide you with documented evidence.
