Keeping the pathways clear
Date: 19 January 2010
Unfortunately, slips and trips can happen, particularly with the current ice and snow lying on the ground.
Here are just a few useful tips to help reduce the risk of an accident, slip or fall at your premises during the current adverse wintry conditions we are all experiencing:
As an owner or occupier of premises:
We all have a duty of care as is reasonable in the circumstances, to ensure that a visitor to our premises is safe.
The key here is “reasonable in the circumstances” and as such, much depends on the type of property in question, the number of visitors likely to attend and to some extent, the resources available to you to minimise any potential danger.
As an employer:
You must take “all steps reasonably practicable”, and this can include:
Ensuring that entry and exit “routes” are kept free of anything which may cause a person to slip.
Taking preventative measures such as clearing & gritting routes, or perhaps the calling in of emergency staff early to clear snow before the main body of the workforce is expected in advance to ensure that routes are safe.
It is not necessary for an employer to ensure that each and every available route throughout the premises is immediately cleared, as long as every employee has a safe route available to enable them to get to their particular work station.
Ensuring that staff are instructed not to use any route that has not been cleared or treated.
Remember! The longer the snow and ice remain, the greater the risk of the employer being in breach of the required duty of care.
For more useful tips to help reduce the risk of accidents during wintery conditions, view our keeping the pathways clear guidelines.
Church – it is important to clear snow & ice on walkways, particularly where the public have general access.
This will reduce the risk of any slips and falls to local visitors and deliveries, and help prevent any potential compensation claims against your insurance policy.
