In much of Britain, there has been somewhat less need for snow and ice removal this winter than in the previous two... so far. However, there have been hard frosts and snow in some areas. It should also be remembered that heavy rainfall combined with a rapid shift to colder temperatures still carries a significant risk of ice formation and snowfall well into February and March in many places.
This means that businesses need to be vigilant well into the spring to ensure they are not caught out by a sudden cold snap. In arranging for car park gritting and ice clearance, organisations tend to take one of 3 approaches.
Snow and Ice Removal – Follow the link to find out how we can help you.
Strategy 1: Do It Yourself
Many businesses, especially smaller companies, take a DIY approach to cold weather. This means arranging for the existing workforce to deal with ice and snow clearing as and when required, rather than using specialist staff.
However, there are a number of potential problems with this approach. One is that you can't be confident that staff whose skills lie in other areas will know how to deal with icy conditions. Will your employees know how to do a risk assessment, monitor site conditions and attend with snow gritters at 3am if necessary to ensure your business is safe to open at the start of the working day?
Even if your workers do have the requisite expertise, they might not be able to get to your site at the right time, especially if they live some distance away. Also, while DIY snow and ice removal tends to be chosen as a cheaper option, it may prove more costly than you imagine. If staff have to spend a lot of time gritting car parks or on snow clearance, this will mean that they are not available to carry out the normal duties they are being paid for, and the business will lose out as a result. Another risk is that, if they don't carry out the work adequately, your whole company may have to close during a spell of cold weather, losing money and potentially also driving away customers who decide you can't be relied on.
Strategy 2: Use a Professional Snow and Ice Removal Service
Using this strategy will give you peace of mind, because you can be sure that your business is fully equipped in advance of any icy weather. Using a specialist gritting contractor such as Ice Watch means your site will constantly be monitored, using our highly-localised weather reports. It will be gritted in advance whenever icy conditions are forecast for your specific location, which helps to prevent ice from forming.
We use locally-based contractors with the right equipment, who will find it easier to make it to your premises than your own staff during cold weather, and will be able to undertake snow and ice removal much more quickly and efficiently. Our teams are able to carry out full risk assessments, and will also take the record-keeping and paperwork involved out of your hands.
Using expert gritting services also means you will have liability insurance and financial protection in event of any claim against you from a member of staff, visitor or customer, since you will be able to prove that you have done everything possible to guard against risks posed by icy conditions. Another financial advantage is that your workforce can get on with their usual job of keeping business running.
Strategy 3: Hope it Doesn't Happen and Muddle Through
This approach doesn't really deserve to be described as a strategy at all. Too often, instead of making preparations for the worst, companies prefer not to think about ice and snow until they happen. Such weather is treated like an unpredictable “Act of God" that people cannot do anything about.
However, shutting your eyes to the risk makes no more sense than failing to fit fire extinguishers, or forgetting to check that your roof and guttering are in good repair. Freezing weather is a real risk, as recent winters have shown only too clearly, and a responsible business needs to guard against the dangers it poses.
Making no preparations in advance means you risk disruption to business for an unpredictable length of time during icy weather. There is also a risk to the safety of employees, customers and other visitors to your site, who may skid on untreated black ice, with potential damage to vehicles and injury to themselves. Another danger in this approach is that you could be making yourself financially vulnerable, since a single claim after an accident could potentially threaten the viability of your business, as well as meaning that a great deal of time will be spent dealing with legal matters.
The best solution is to ensure that you have gritting contractors in place before cold weather strikes, so that you can be sure of an expert service. Ice Watch offers gritting services and snow and ice removal in all areas of the UK including Ipswich and Suffolk, Luton, London, Milton Keynes and Cambridge. Our service includes everything from monitoring to record-keeping.
Gritting Services – Get in touch now to find out how Ice Watch can protect your business.
Thursday, 13 February 2014
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Winter Readiness Survey Says Local Authorities "Well Prepared" for Winter – Are You?
Local authorities are better prepared than ever for the predicted snow this winter, but they won't be carrying out car park gritting and snow clearance for your private business or organisation. This could mean that customers and employees who have been able to travel to your premises because of timely action from local authorities, may not be able to park or safely get into your buildings because car parks, walkways and steps are covered in snow and ice. As well as posing a danger to workers and visitors, this also lays organisations open to liability claims if injury occurs because car park gritting has not been carried out.
With winter 2013/14 well and truly here and many areas of the UK already experiencing some snow flurries and overnight hard frosts, local authorities are on full alert, and it seems that the lessons of the past few years have been learned. Here we take a look at how well prepared local authorities are for the anticipated ice and snow, and what private companies and organisations can do to keep their operation up and running safely this winter.
Valuable Lessons Learned
The past few winters have shown that severely cold weather can be expected throughout the UK, and is no longer a "one off" as it used to be. In 2009/10, many people in the UK were caught out by the unexpected severity of that winter, with local authorities facing criticism about shortages of salt, grit and vehicles, resulting in a failure to keep main routes open.
It seems that this year local authorities are well prepared, with good stocks of gritting supplies and machinery and, more importantly, with clear plans in place to deal with snow. All authorities have clearly identified and published the main routes they will be targeting, making it easier for businesses and residents to predict which roads are likely to be gritted – and where they need to take action themselves.
Local Authorities Prepared for Winter 2013/14
According to the Winter Readiness Survey for 2013/14, carried out by the Local Government Association, 94% of local authorities have secured required levels of salt supplies before the beginning of the gritting season, with good confidence that these levels are adequate for a long and severe winter. Authorities also have adequate numbers of vehicles, with an average of 9 full sized gritters, either owned or leased, and 1 mini-gritter each.
Councils have also made arrangements to cooperate with neighbouring areas to ensure efficient coverage, making arrangements, for instance, to share salt supplies as necessary. And they are also well up to speed in terms of using technology to improve gritting activities (e.g. using GPS to help manage gritting routes more effectively) and communications with the public (e.g. using their website, Twitter or even Facebook to keep residents and businesses well informed about gritting activities).
One of the best prepared local authorities is in the Scottish county of East Renfrewshire, whose plan involves the gritting and/or clearing of 65% of roads – more than any other local authority. In addition, they have made good arrangements for plenty of salt bins for use by local residents and businesses on smaller roads or other critical areas.
On average, local authorities have plans to grit or clear 43% of their road networks. Understandably, this consists primarily of major routes, followed by selected other routes, especially where these involve access to key public institutions such as hospitals and schools. Smaller residential roads, as usual, may not be gritted at all – but many will be in reach of a local authority provided salt bin, enabling members of the public to treat roads and pavements in their area. However, private roads, driveways and car parks belonging to businesses, such as store and hotel car parks, delivery yards and so on, do not fall under local authority responsibility and it is up to business owners to organise gritting and clearing of these areas.
Private Road & Car Park Gritting – The Missing Link
A large number of organisations depend heavily on the ability of employees, visitors or residents to be able to easily access their premises in order to function. This includes:
Fortunately, the issue can be taken care of quite easily and reliably by using a professional car park gritting company such as Ice Watch. Not only do we monitor local weather conditions to ensure you don't get caught out, but we ensure attendance at your premises at whatever time of day or night is necessary to ensure gritting is carried out in good time and/or snow is cleared in readiness for your employees and customers.
Winter Gritting - Find out more about how Ice Watch can keep your business moving this winter.
With winter 2013/14 well and truly here and many areas of the UK already experiencing some snow flurries and overnight hard frosts, local authorities are on full alert, and it seems that the lessons of the past few years have been learned. Here we take a look at how well prepared local authorities are for the anticipated ice and snow, and what private companies and organisations can do to keep their operation up and running safely this winter.
Valuable Lessons Learned
The past few winters have shown that severely cold weather can be expected throughout the UK, and is no longer a "one off" as it used to be. In 2009/10, many people in the UK were caught out by the unexpected severity of that winter, with local authorities facing criticism about shortages of salt, grit and vehicles, resulting in a failure to keep main routes open.
It seems that this year local authorities are well prepared, with good stocks of gritting supplies and machinery and, more importantly, with clear plans in place to deal with snow. All authorities have clearly identified and published the main routes they will be targeting, making it easier for businesses and residents to predict which roads are likely to be gritted – and where they need to take action themselves.
Local Authorities Prepared for Winter 2013/14
According to the Winter Readiness Survey for 2013/14, carried out by the Local Government Association, 94% of local authorities have secured required levels of salt supplies before the beginning of the gritting season, with good confidence that these levels are adequate for a long and severe winter. Authorities also have adequate numbers of vehicles, with an average of 9 full sized gritters, either owned or leased, and 1 mini-gritter each.
Councils have also made arrangements to cooperate with neighbouring areas to ensure efficient coverage, making arrangements, for instance, to share salt supplies as necessary. And they are also well up to speed in terms of using technology to improve gritting activities (e.g. using GPS to help manage gritting routes more effectively) and communications with the public (e.g. using their website, Twitter or even Facebook to keep residents and businesses well informed about gritting activities).
One of the best prepared local authorities is in the Scottish county of East Renfrewshire, whose plan involves the gritting and/or clearing of 65% of roads – more than any other local authority. In addition, they have made good arrangements for plenty of salt bins for use by local residents and businesses on smaller roads or other critical areas.
On average, local authorities have plans to grit or clear 43% of their road networks. Understandably, this consists primarily of major routes, followed by selected other routes, especially where these involve access to key public institutions such as hospitals and schools. Smaller residential roads, as usual, may not be gritted at all – but many will be in reach of a local authority provided salt bin, enabling members of the public to treat roads and pavements in their area. However, private roads, driveways and car parks belonging to businesses, such as store and hotel car parks, delivery yards and so on, do not fall under local authority responsibility and it is up to business owners to organise gritting and clearing of these areas.
Private Road & Car Park Gritting – The Missing Link
A large number of organisations depend heavily on the ability of employees, visitors or residents to be able to easily access their premises in order to function. This includes:
- Shops, supermarkets and retail parks – customer car parks and delivery yards
- Warehouses and distribution centres – heavy goods deliveries, loading and unloading
- Hospitals – patient and visitor car parks, emergency vehicle loading/unloading areas
- Hotels and restaurants – staff and customer car parks
- Offices – car parks, walkways and delivery areas
- Private estates and apartment buildings – private access roads and communal car parking areas
- Sheltered housing and care homes – parking areas for care staff, visitors and residents
Fortunately, the issue can be taken care of quite easily and reliably by using a professional car park gritting company such as Ice Watch. Not only do we monitor local weather conditions to ensure you don't get caught out, but we ensure attendance at your premises at whatever time of day or night is necessary to ensure gritting is carried out in good time and/or snow is cleared in readiness for your employees and customers.
Winter Gritting - Find out more about how Ice Watch can keep your business moving this winter.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
5 Problems You Could Face If You Don't Organise Car Park Gritting
Organising winter gritting services is something that it is all too easy to forget about, or put off for a later date – until the need to use it arises. Unfortunately, when the temperatures plunge and you discover that a vital site such as a car park needs gritting, it is likely to be too late to save the situation. This is an area where prevention is definitely much better than cure. Rather than waiting for a crisis to arrive, a business should make sure that gritting contractors are appointed before the Big Freeze starts to bite, so that the risk of a crisis is averted.
If you don't already have a winter gritting services contractor appointed, it is vital to act now and put that right, so that you can be sure that you have the right professional team in place. Here we are going to look at 5 problems which could arise this winter if you have failed to make the right arrangements.
Winter Gritting Services – Click here for more information about Ice Watch
1. Your Car Park Has to Be Closed: If snow and ice strike and you have failed to organise car park gritters, it is highly likely that your site will become too icy and unsafe to use. This will lead to problems being caused to people who need to use the site for work, and leave you open to accusations of a lack of reliability, reflecting on your organisation as a whole. It is also likely to cause great annoyance if the roads were gritted properly and people have managed to struggle in for work, but then fall at the final hurdle because they find they cannot park their vehicles –due to a lack of forward planning.
2. A Worker or Customer Is Injured: If somebody either slips on ice in an ungritted car park, or crashes their vehicle and is hurt as a result, the worst aspect to this is obviously the pain and suffering caused to the individual concerned. However, there are also other consequences, such as loss of working time in the case of an employee who has to take sickness leave to recover. In the case of a customer, there is obviously a high likelihood that they will go elsewhere in future after being injured on your premises, and tell all their friends and relations to do the same.
3. You Get Sued or Prosecuted: After an accident occurs on your site because of a failure to organise car park gritting, there is a danger that you could be sued by someone who has been injured, or whose car has been damaged. This could lead to heavy losses for your business. In cases of injury, there is also a risk of prosecution under health and safety legislation, so you could find yourself having to face a criminal court. There is even the risk that, after a serious incident, your business could potentially face both a civil case and a criminal prosecution.
4. Your Insurance Is Invalidated: Insurance for a business will include conditions about your responsibility to make sure your premises, including the car park, are in a safe condition. This means the policy is likely to be invalidated if you don't abide by its small print. The consequences of this for your company is that you could end up having to pay out hefty penalties yourself if you find that they are not covered.
5 You Lose Business: Loss of business is likely to arise at two stages. First, it could happen as an immediate consequence of the failure to organise winter gritting services. If your workers cannot get in to work because the car park is impassable, it may mean you cannot open up and lose all your trade for the affected days. Even if you are able to open, the hazardous state of your site could still mean that you lose many customers. The loss of business could also arise in the longer term, if bad publicity over the lack of gritting hits your reputation.
How to Avoid These Pitfalls
It's clear from all this that forgetting to organise car park gritters could have disastrous results. However, the good news is that all these problems can be avoided by appointing an expert gritting contractor like Ice Watch. Appointing us will mean that you have all the arrangements in place before gritting is necessary, giving peace of mind.
As your gritting contractors, we will provide a regular service where you are kept fully informed of when we are going to grit, and we will also keep full records in case you ever face a legal challenge. We offer a winter gritting service across the UK, including Suffolk, Cambridge, Luton, Milton Keynes, Plymouth and Nottingham.
Car Park Gritting – Contact us to find out more about our service.
If you don't already have a winter gritting services contractor appointed, it is vital to act now and put that right, so that you can be sure that you have the right professional team in place. Here we are going to look at 5 problems which could arise this winter if you have failed to make the right arrangements.
Winter Gritting Services – Click here for more information about Ice Watch
1. Your Car Park Has to Be Closed: If snow and ice strike and you have failed to organise car park gritters, it is highly likely that your site will become too icy and unsafe to use. This will lead to problems being caused to people who need to use the site for work, and leave you open to accusations of a lack of reliability, reflecting on your organisation as a whole. It is also likely to cause great annoyance if the roads were gritted properly and people have managed to struggle in for work, but then fall at the final hurdle because they find they cannot park their vehicles –due to a lack of forward planning.
2. A Worker or Customer Is Injured: If somebody either slips on ice in an ungritted car park, or crashes their vehicle and is hurt as a result, the worst aspect to this is obviously the pain and suffering caused to the individual concerned. However, there are also other consequences, such as loss of working time in the case of an employee who has to take sickness leave to recover. In the case of a customer, there is obviously a high likelihood that they will go elsewhere in future after being injured on your premises, and tell all their friends and relations to do the same.
3. You Get Sued or Prosecuted: After an accident occurs on your site because of a failure to organise car park gritting, there is a danger that you could be sued by someone who has been injured, or whose car has been damaged. This could lead to heavy losses for your business. In cases of injury, there is also a risk of prosecution under health and safety legislation, so you could find yourself having to face a criminal court. There is even the risk that, after a serious incident, your business could potentially face both a civil case and a criminal prosecution.
4. Your Insurance Is Invalidated: Insurance for a business will include conditions about your responsibility to make sure your premises, including the car park, are in a safe condition. This means the policy is likely to be invalidated if you don't abide by its small print. The consequences of this for your company is that you could end up having to pay out hefty penalties yourself if you find that they are not covered.
5 You Lose Business: Loss of business is likely to arise at two stages. First, it could happen as an immediate consequence of the failure to organise winter gritting services. If your workers cannot get in to work because the car park is impassable, it may mean you cannot open up and lose all your trade for the affected days. Even if you are able to open, the hazardous state of your site could still mean that you lose many customers. The loss of business could also arise in the longer term, if bad publicity over the lack of gritting hits your reputation.
How to Avoid These Pitfalls
It's clear from all this that forgetting to organise car park gritters could have disastrous results. However, the good news is that all these problems can be avoided by appointing an expert gritting contractor like Ice Watch. Appointing us will mean that you have all the arrangements in place before gritting is necessary, giving peace of mind.
As your gritting contractors, we will provide a regular service where you are kept fully informed of when we are going to grit, and we will also keep full records in case you ever face a legal challenge. We offer a winter gritting service across the UK, including Suffolk, Cambridge, Luton, Milton Keynes, Plymouth and Nottingham.
Car Park Gritting – Contact us to find out more about our service.
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Summer is the Perfect Time to Review Your Gritting Contractors' Performance
Just how well did your gritting contractors do during last winter's big freeze? It can be tempting to forget all about snow and ice during the spring and summer, yet these months are the perfect time for a company to review the performance of its contractors during the previous cold spell. Alternatively, if a business does not already have a contractor in place, now is the right time to appoint one, well before next winter.
Gritting Contractors – Click here for information about the Ice Watch service
Performance Markers for Gritting Contractors
Did they perform a thorough risk assessment as part of the sign-up process?
It is important to look over the area to be treated thoroughly in advance of any bad weather, making sure that the areas which would need to be treated during an icy spell are clearly designated. The assessors will look to see where there is a risk of a worker or a visitor to your site slipping or of a vehicle being involved in an accident. If this is not done, it could cause problems when the cold weather does arise and it has not yet been decided which areas are to be treated. It could also leave your business open to a legal action if an accident does occur.
Did they monitor local weather for you and let you know when gritting was likely to be needed?
Carrying out daily weather checks in your own local area is vital, as weather conditions can vary greatly within just a few miles. If your gritting contractors fail to provide a localised weather forecasting service, there is a risk that your site may miss out on necessary gritting when icy weather is approaching, or, equally, that it could end up being treated unnecessarily.
Did they visit your site to check whether gritting was really necessary?
If frost and ice are being forecast but the risk for your immediate area is unclear, then it is essential for your contractor to visit the site and inspect it to check whether gritting is likely to be needed on this occasion. Doing this ensures that the right decision is made for your site and for the conditions. Lack of a site visit could mean a need to rely on guesswork.
Did they give you the option to say no to gritting if preferred?
It is important that this option is there, so that, for instance, if your site is going to be closed, you do not have to pay for un-needed grit.
Were they always available for gritting when required, with enough people and equipment?
The prolonged icy conditions last winter provided a real test for contractors, as gritting had to be carried out on more occasions than typically expected over the season. It is vital that customers can rely on a regular service and not be hit by a lack of equipment and contractors just when the need is greatest. Businesses signing up to a reliable gritting service should not have to worry about supplies running out, and should be assured that their sites will be treated whenever needed.
Did they successfully ensure gritting before ice/snow arrived, to prevent ice formation?
Time is of the essence when cold weather bites, and it is important that gritting is carried out before the arrival of ice and snow, when it will be too late to be fully effective. The best way of ensuring a safe surface is to spread the grit in advance, so that the ground has already been treated before the freezing weather arrives, stopping ice from forming. If this isn't done in time, then grit spread later on will not work so well.
Did they provide fully documented records of weather monitoring and gritting activity?
Businesses need to have a full record of the precautions they have taken to protect both employees and visitors from the risks of ice and snow. If gritting contractors do not provide properly documented records, it may be hard for you to prove what actions you have taken in the event of somebody making a claim against your business.
Did they operate with care for the environment?
Contractors should be local to the areas which they treat, cutting down on unnecessary vehicle journeys and resulting pollution. They should also avoid wasting grit and salt.
The Ice Watch Gritting Service
Ice Watch provides all the aspects mentioned above as standard. Once you sign up for the service, the expert gritting contractors will start by carrying out a full risk assessment at your site, and will go on to put in place a comprehensive service which includes weather forecasting for your local area, inspections and gritting, together with the keeping of full records. The firm is environmentally responsible, and ensures that it has enough staff and supplies to provide a service you can rely on.
And If You Don't Already Have Gritting Contractors in Place?
Now is the perfect time to look around for contractors, well before the cold weather returns. At this time of year, you have the time and space to assess your needs and meet with contractors, who can undertake thorough risk assessments for your business. It also gives you time to carry out an internal cost-benefit analysis if desired. Once you have a contractor appointed, it means there will be one less thing to worry about next winter.
Gritting Contractors Click here for full information about the Ice Watch service.
Gritting Contractors – Click here for information about the Ice Watch service
Performance Markers for Gritting Contractors
Did they perform a thorough risk assessment as part of the sign-up process?
It is important to look over the area to be treated thoroughly in advance of any bad weather, making sure that the areas which would need to be treated during an icy spell are clearly designated. The assessors will look to see where there is a risk of a worker or a visitor to your site slipping or of a vehicle being involved in an accident. If this is not done, it could cause problems when the cold weather does arise and it has not yet been decided which areas are to be treated. It could also leave your business open to a legal action if an accident does occur.
Did they monitor local weather for you and let you know when gritting was likely to be needed?
Carrying out daily weather checks in your own local area is vital, as weather conditions can vary greatly within just a few miles. If your gritting contractors fail to provide a localised weather forecasting service, there is a risk that your site may miss out on necessary gritting when icy weather is approaching, or, equally, that it could end up being treated unnecessarily.
Did they visit your site to check whether gritting was really necessary?
If frost and ice are being forecast but the risk for your immediate area is unclear, then it is essential for your contractor to visit the site and inspect it to check whether gritting is likely to be needed on this occasion. Doing this ensures that the right decision is made for your site and for the conditions. Lack of a site visit could mean a need to rely on guesswork.
Did they give you the option to say no to gritting if preferred?
It is important that this option is there, so that, for instance, if your site is going to be closed, you do not have to pay for un-needed grit.
Were they always available for gritting when required, with enough people and equipment?
The prolonged icy conditions last winter provided a real test for contractors, as gritting had to be carried out on more occasions than typically expected over the season. It is vital that customers can rely on a regular service and not be hit by a lack of equipment and contractors just when the need is greatest. Businesses signing up to a reliable gritting service should not have to worry about supplies running out, and should be assured that their sites will be treated whenever needed.
Did they successfully ensure gritting before ice/snow arrived, to prevent ice formation?
Time is of the essence when cold weather bites, and it is important that gritting is carried out before the arrival of ice and snow, when it will be too late to be fully effective. The best way of ensuring a safe surface is to spread the grit in advance, so that the ground has already been treated before the freezing weather arrives, stopping ice from forming. If this isn't done in time, then grit spread later on will not work so well.
Did they provide fully documented records of weather monitoring and gritting activity?
Businesses need to have a full record of the precautions they have taken to protect both employees and visitors from the risks of ice and snow. If gritting contractors do not provide properly documented records, it may be hard for you to prove what actions you have taken in the event of somebody making a claim against your business.
Did they operate with care for the environment?
Contractors should be local to the areas which they treat, cutting down on unnecessary vehicle journeys and resulting pollution. They should also avoid wasting grit and salt.
The Ice Watch Gritting Service
Ice Watch provides all the aspects mentioned above as standard. Once you sign up for the service, the expert gritting contractors will start by carrying out a full risk assessment at your site, and will go on to put in place a comprehensive service which includes weather forecasting for your local area, inspections and gritting, together with the keeping of full records. The firm is environmentally responsible, and ensures that it has enough staff and supplies to provide a service you can rely on.
And If You Don't Already Have Gritting Contractors in Place?
Now is the perfect time to look around for contractors, well before the cold weather returns. At this time of year, you have the time and space to assess your needs and meet with contractors, who can undertake thorough risk assessments for your business. It also gives you time to carry out an internal cost-benefit analysis if desired. Once you have a contractor appointed, it means there will be one less thing to worry about next winter.
Gritting Contractors Click here for full information about the Ice Watch service.
Friday, 17 May 2013
The Snow May be Over – But UK Businesses are Counting the Cost
Extreme weather, with blizzards and heavy snowfall, has a major impact on the economy as a whole. As insurance giant RSA revealed, bad weather costs the UK economy as much as half a billion pounds a day, much of which is borne by individual businesses. With the snowy period behind us, now is the perfect time to consider employing the services of gritting contractors, so your business doesn’t get caught out again this winter.
The 2012/13 long period of snow and ice impacted on many businesses in the UK, with arguably the hardest hit being small firms, the hospitality trade, the retail industry, and those businesses reliant on domestic and overseas flights to attend meetings, promote their firm abroad and secure contracts.
However, the cost to the economy caused by the 2012/13 snowy spell could have been higher had it not been for the action taken by councils and local authorities to grit and clear roads and who were generally better prepared this year, helping to minimise disruption.
Certainly private businesses owners and their staff benefitted from local authorities’ advance planning in terms of gaining access to the major roads; however, this didn’t help when it came to their own premises as non-gritted car parks, pathways, private roads and delivery yards were rendered impossible to gain access.
If businesses want to minimise their own costs, they need to invest in precautions such as hiring private gritting contractors.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
Spring is the perfect time for businesses to review how the weather affected them over last six months. To consider an accurate cost to their business, it is advisable for company directors to do a thorough cost analysis while the impact of the bad weather is still fresh in the mind.
The cost analysis needs to include the following:
Loss of Work Days
If staff are unable to access work premises (due to blocked driveways, hazardous car parking areas, or walkways that pose a danger to pedestrians) this can have a major affect on productivity. Reduced hours or lost work days will impact on businesses, especially small firms who suffer the most from staff absences. Even if some people are able to get into work having a firm running at a reduced capacity has a knock on effect as it is difficult to make up the lost hours. Unfortunately, this year many businesses ran behind on deadlines as a direct result of bad weather.
Deliveries Missed
Bad weather not only affects orders going out, but incoming deliveries too. Missed deliveries can affect a host of companies, from those in the retail or hospitality trade, to factories and offices. In the case of retail outlets and online stores, for example, if the products are not in stock, they cannot be sold or dispatched to the customer, and this may ultimately drive customers away. The same is true of factories too; if they are not able to take in the raw materials (because the drivers cannot get into the delivery bay safely) this will have a major impact on production and lead to delays, or worse, cancellations.
Lost Sales
Snowy weather impacts on sales as some businesses such as pubs, shops and restaurants may have to turn away customers during the worst of the weather (due to staff shortages, inaccessible driveways etc). Not only this but customers will be put off using a business premises if they see that the car parks or walkways are either icy, or covered in snow. Consumers are likely to avoid shops and restaurants that they can’t gain safe entry to and instead may use the services of a rival company that does have cleared access.
Loss of Reputation
If delivery times aren’t met, orders are cancelled, or customer service isn’t up to scratch (because a business is running on reduced staff) this can all impact on a company’s reputation. In a factory situation, for example, lost work days mean that a company falls behind on its product output, and orders are not fulfilled. Once a reputation is lost, it is very hard to regain a customer’s trust and they are likely to go elsewhere. However, far more damaging is the cost of a potential court case if a customer or worker sustains an injury by slipping or falling on ice or snow on your premises.
Business Meetings Cancelled
If executives are forced to cancel important business meetings as a result of bad weather, the effects can be devastating. It could potentially lead to the loss of a new contract and therefore impact on future opportunities (and jobs). Company directors should weigh up the cost of arranging gritting contractors against the resulting impact bad weather will have on their business, well in advance of the winter period.
Installations Not Carried Out
Most businesses depend on the use of outside services to keep the business ticking over. Most companies, for example, are heavily reliant on computers and there are additional things to take into account such as lighting, heating etc. While larger firms often have in-house computer departments, if you are a smaller firm and a computer breaks down, you will have to rely on outside services to fix it. If these outside services don’t have access to your premises (as a result of hazardous pathways and slippery walkways for instance) they will not be able to gain entry to your premises to carry out these important repairs.
In-House Gritting
If you are providing your own in-house gritting service, it is important to take all the costs into account. This includes time and money spent on procuring grit and gritting equipment, plus the training costs, lost work time, as well as any overtime expenses as you would have to pay staff to attend premises in the early hours. All of these expenses need to be weighed up against the actual cost of hiring a gritting contractor.
Why Use Gritting Contractors
By planning ahead and arranging gritting contractors in advance of the winter period, this will save you considerable costs in the long run. You will avoid not just the monetary costs, but also the overall stress, hassle and disruption caused by premises that have not been gritted. Contact Ice Watch today for a free no-obligation visit or click on the link below to find out more.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
The 2012/13 long period of snow and ice impacted on many businesses in the UK, with arguably the hardest hit being small firms, the hospitality trade, the retail industry, and those businesses reliant on domestic and overseas flights to attend meetings, promote their firm abroad and secure contracts.
However, the cost to the economy caused by the 2012/13 snowy spell could have been higher had it not been for the action taken by councils and local authorities to grit and clear roads and who were generally better prepared this year, helping to minimise disruption.
Certainly private businesses owners and their staff benefitted from local authorities’ advance planning in terms of gaining access to the major roads; however, this didn’t help when it came to their own premises as non-gritted car parks, pathways, private roads and delivery yards were rendered impossible to gain access.
If businesses want to minimise their own costs, they need to invest in precautions such as hiring private gritting contractors.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
Spring is the perfect time for businesses to review how the weather affected them over last six months. To consider an accurate cost to their business, it is advisable for company directors to do a thorough cost analysis while the impact of the bad weather is still fresh in the mind.
The cost analysis needs to include the following:
Loss of Work Days
If staff are unable to access work premises (due to blocked driveways, hazardous car parking areas, or walkways that pose a danger to pedestrians) this can have a major affect on productivity. Reduced hours or lost work days will impact on businesses, especially small firms who suffer the most from staff absences. Even if some people are able to get into work having a firm running at a reduced capacity has a knock on effect as it is difficult to make up the lost hours. Unfortunately, this year many businesses ran behind on deadlines as a direct result of bad weather.
Deliveries Missed
Bad weather not only affects orders going out, but incoming deliveries too. Missed deliveries can affect a host of companies, from those in the retail or hospitality trade, to factories and offices. In the case of retail outlets and online stores, for example, if the products are not in stock, they cannot be sold or dispatched to the customer, and this may ultimately drive customers away. The same is true of factories too; if they are not able to take in the raw materials (because the drivers cannot get into the delivery bay safely) this will have a major impact on production and lead to delays, or worse, cancellations.
Lost Sales
Snowy weather impacts on sales as some businesses such as pubs, shops and restaurants may have to turn away customers during the worst of the weather (due to staff shortages, inaccessible driveways etc). Not only this but customers will be put off using a business premises if they see that the car parks or walkways are either icy, or covered in snow. Consumers are likely to avoid shops and restaurants that they can’t gain safe entry to and instead may use the services of a rival company that does have cleared access.
Loss of Reputation
If delivery times aren’t met, orders are cancelled, or customer service isn’t up to scratch (because a business is running on reduced staff) this can all impact on a company’s reputation. In a factory situation, for example, lost work days mean that a company falls behind on its product output, and orders are not fulfilled. Once a reputation is lost, it is very hard to regain a customer’s trust and they are likely to go elsewhere. However, far more damaging is the cost of a potential court case if a customer or worker sustains an injury by slipping or falling on ice or snow on your premises.
Business Meetings Cancelled
If executives are forced to cancel important business meetings as a result of bad weather, the effects can be devastating. It could potentially lead to the loss of a new contract and therefore impact on future opportunities (and jobs). Company directors should weigh up the cost of arranging gritting contractors against the resulting impact bad weather will have on their business, well in advance of the winter period.
Installations Not Carried Out
Most businesses depend on the use of outside services to keep the business ticking over. Most companies, for example, are heavily reliant on computers and there are additional things to take into account such as lighting, heating etc. While larger firms often have in-house computer departments, if you are a smaller firm and a computer breaks down, you will have to rely on outside services to fix it. If these outside services don’t have access to your premises (as a result of hazardous pathways and slippery walkways for instance) they will not be able to gain entry to your premises to carry out these important repairs.
In-House Gritting
If you are providing your own in-house gritting service, it is important to take all the costs into account. This includes time and money spent on procuring grit and gritting equipment, plus the training costs, lost work time, as well as any overtime expenses as you would have to pay staff to attend premises in the early hours. All of these expenses need to be weighed up against the actual cost of hiring a gritting contractor.
Why Use Gritting Contractors
By planning ahead and arranging gritting contractors in advance of the winter period, this will save you considerable costs in the long run. You will avoid not just the monetary costs, but also the overall stress, hassle and disruption caused by premises that have not been gritted. Contact Ice Watch today for a free no-obligation visit or click on the link below to find out more.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Is Snowmageddon Over? Why You Should Keep Your Gritting Contractors on Speed Dial This Spring
This winter saw treacherous conditions in some parts of the UK and the bad weather has continued into spring – with this month predicted as the snowiest March Britain has had for some time.
In the second week of March, snowy conditions caused widespread chaos in Britain and hardest hit were businesses that had not organised gritting contractors in advance. Slippery walkways, driveways and car parks forced some firms to close when employees and customers couldn’t safely access the premises.
Some of the worst hit areas were Kent, Sussex and Southern Hampshire, and areas of higher ground. Hazardous weather in parts of Britain meant some drivers were stuck in their cars for hours during freezing conditions. Even the shortest journeys to and from work became lengthy and arduous, and in some parts of the country, drivers were trapped in their cars overnight.
The UK has been hard hit by the harsh weather. At the start of the year, the northerly parts of the UK, Wales, Scotland, and areas on higher ground were some of the worst affected areas. In January, blizzards in Wales caused massive disruption, leading to school closures, traffic chaos, and parts of the country were hit by power cuts which caused further misery to householders.
The frosty conditions continued well into February. High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, for instance, was one of the worst hit places in England as residents experienced as much as 13 cm of snowfall. However, other parts of the UK saw a light flurry that month with just 1–3 cm of snowfall.
Icy conditions and even a light dusting of snow can cause widespread chaos and often takes a business by surprise. Those that aren’t covered by gritting contractors may be forced to close until the snow clears as slippery conditions make it virtually impossible for staff to gain access to premises without putting themselves at risk. This month’s snowfall has shown that even in spring, it’s unwise to put organising gritting contractors on the back burner.
Here we look at the snow and ice forecasts over the coming month and explain why it is important to be prepared, even in spring.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help
Snow Forecast for Spring 2013
Mid-March saw temperatures that are more common in mid-January with parts of the UK – including parts of the south east – experiencing freezing temperatures, sleet and snow.
This pattern continued into mid-March and at the time of writing, more snow and ice was forecast. More rain and snowfall is predicted especially in the north and east of the UK. And as we continue into April, the unsettled weather is set to continue, especially in the south and west.
This means, even with spring on the way, it is vital managers and company directors remain on their guard and organise gritting contractors so they are not caught out by an unexpected drop in temperature.
Ice Forecast Spring 2013
Frosty nights and chilly days are predicted well into March and windy and damp conditions are expected in the far northwest of the country. Although temperatures rose at the start of March, the second week saw temperatures plunge again and severe frosts affecting parts of the UK.
Temperatures will continue to be colder than average towards the end of the month and there’s still a high chance of frost and ice in many areas right through to April and even beyond.
Ice is extremely hazardous; in particular, black ice which is almost impossible to see on pavements, car parks and walkways, and this presents a major risk to staff and visitors which is why car park gritters are so vital.
About Ice Watch
Ice Watch monitor highly localised weather reports from Weatherquest, so you won’t get caught out and your staff and customers are kept safe whatever the weather. Our gritters are on hand as and when the need arises to ensure your car parks, driveways and public access areas are free from the hazards of snow and ice.
Safety remains our top priority and our daily checks will provide you with complete peace of mind. Ice Watch provides a cost effective solution for your business and we ensure your premises stays open, whatever the weather.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help
In the second week of March, snowy conditions caused widespread chaos in Britain and hardest hit were businesses that had not organised gritting contractors in advance. Slippery walkways, driveways and car parks forced some firms to close when employees and customers couldn’t safely access the premises.
Some of the worst hit areas were Kent, Sussex and Southern Hampshire, and areas of higher ground. Hazardous weather in parts of Britain meant some drivers were stuck in their cars for hours during freezing conditions. Even the shortest journeys to and from work became lengthy and arduous, and in some parts of the country, drivers were trapped in their cars overnight.
The UK has been hard hit by the harsh weather. At the start of the year, the northerly parts of the UK, Wales, Scotland, and areas on higher ground were some of the worst affected areas. In January, blizzards in Wales caused massive disruption, leading to school closures, traffic chaos, and parts of the country were hit by power cuts which caused further misery to householders.
The frosty conditions continued well into February. High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, for instance, was one of the worst hit places in England as residents experienced as much as 13 cm of snowfall. However, other parts of the UK saw a light flurry that month with just 1–3 cm of snowfall.
Icy conditions and even a light dusting of snow can cause widespread chaos and often takes a business by surprise. Those that aren’t covered by gritting contractors may be forced to close until the snow clears as slippery conditions make it virtually impossible for staff to gain access to premises without putting themselves at risk. This month’s snowfall has shown that even in spring, it’s unwise to put organising gritting contractors on the back burner.
Here we look at the snow and ice forecasts over the coming month and explain why it is important to be prepared, even in spring.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help
Snow Forecast for Spring 2013
Mid-March saw temperatures that are more common in mid-January with parts of the UK – including parts of the south east – experiencing freezing temperatures, sleet and snow.
This pattern continued into mid-March and at the time of writing, more snow and ice was forecast. More rain and snowfall is predicted especially in the north and east of the UK. And as we continue into April, the unsettled weather is set to continue, especially in the south and west.
This means, even with spring on the way, it is vital managers and company directors remain on their guard and organise gritting contractors so they are not caught out by an unexpected drop in temperature.
Ice Forecast Spring 2013
Frosty nights and chilly days are predicted well into March and windy and damp conditions are expected in the far northwest of the country. Although temperatures rose at the start of March, the second week saw temperatures plunge again and severe frosts affecting parts of the UK.
Temperatures will continue to be colder than average towards the end of the month and there’s still a high chance of frost and ice in many areas right through to April and even beyond.
Ice is extremely hazardous; in particular, black ice which is almost impossible to see on pavements, car parks and walkways, and this presents a major risk to staff and visitors which is why car park gritters are so vital.
About Ice Watch
Ice Watch monitor highly localised weather reports from Weatherquest, so you won’t get caught out and your staff and customers are kept safe whatever the weather. Our gritters are on hand as and when the need arises to ensure your car parks, driveways and public access areas are free from the hazards of snow and ice.
Safety remains our top priority and our daily checks will provide you with complete peace of mind. Ice Watch provides a cost effective solution for your business and we ensure your premises stays open, whatever the weather.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Spring is Here – But Freezing Overnight Temperatures Set to Continue Through April and Beyond
Overnight ice is a risk not only in winter, but right through the spring in
most areas of the country. This is why it is important to be aware of
the dangers it can present to your workforce and organise gritting
contractors so that you are fully prepared, even at this time of
year.
While from March to May the majority of ice occurs outside working hours, for businesses or organisations that operate overnight, or in the early hours of the morning, such as hospitals, hotels, warehouses, factories or 24 hour stores, this means an ongoing threat to staff and visitors. Overnight ice can pose a risk for much of the year, even if the daytime temperatures are warming up significantly and it is commonplace for Ice Watch gritting contractors to be called out right through the spring period.
This article looks at the UK ice risk, region by region for April. The temperatures below are based on historical averages and show a general likelihood rather than a specific forecast.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
Scotland
The west and south west of Scotland tends to be generally warmer than the east and north, as this part of the country benefits from the effects of the Gulf Stream. However, overnight temperatures in the south of Scotland can still drop below freezing throughout April. The north tends to be drier (only 18 days of rainfall in Inverness, for example) but is also significantly colder, presenting a significant ice risk right through April and plenty to keep gritting contractors on their toes!
*
Absolute minimum will almost always be an overnight temperature
North of England
The northern English counties of Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire can all experience overnight temperatures well below freezing being possible right through April and even through till May. Combined with high levels of rainfall this creates an ongoing risk of ice formation throughout the month.
Midlands
Wales
South West
East Anglia
Home Counties
London and South East
In short, unless you are lucky enough to live and work in Cornwall, South Wales or Central London, you can be almost certain to experience some overnight ice throughout the month of April and, in some places, even beyond. While businesses are naturally alert for ice over the winter months, ice in April may catch out many – except for those with gritting contractors in place, watching the weather for them.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
While from March to May the majority of ice occurs outside working hours, for businesses or organisations that operate overnight, or in the early hours of the morning, such as hospitals, hotels, warehouses, factories or 24 hour stores, this means an ongoing threat to staff and visitors. Overnight ice can pose a risk for much of the year, even if the daytime temperatures are warming up significantly and it is commonplace for Ice Watch gritting contractors to be called out right through the spring period.
This article looks at the UK ice risk, region by region for April. The temperatures below are based on historical averages and show a general likelihood rather than a specific forecast.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
Scotland
The west and south west of Scotland tends to be generally warmer than the east and north, as this part of the country benefits from the effects of the Gulf Stream. However, overnight temperatures in the south of Scotland can still drop below freezing throughout April. The north tends to be drier (only 18 days of rainfall in Inverness, for example) but is also significantly colder, presenting a significant ice risk right through April and plenty to keep gritting contractors on their toes!
Glasgow
|
Edinburgh
|
Inverness
|
|
Average
minimum April temperature
|
4
C
|
1
C
|
4C
|
Absolute
minimum* April temperature
|
-4
C
|
-11
C
|
-10
C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
22
|
23
|
18
|
Estimated
ice risk in April
|
Medium
|
High
|
High
|
North of England
The northern English counties of Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire can all experience overnight temperatures well below freezing being possible right through April and even through till May. Combined with high levels of rainfall this creates an ongoing risk of ice formation throughout the month.
York
|
Blackpool
|
Manchester
|
|
Average
minimum April temperature
|
3C
|
6C
|
4C
|
Absolute
minimum April temperature
|
-5
C
|
-4C
|
-4C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
15
|
17
|
21
|
Estimated
ice risk in April
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Midlands
The
Midlands do not benefit much from being further south, perhaps
because they are largely landlocked and do not benefit at all from
the Gulf Stream. Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire,
Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire,
Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Northamptonshire and the West Midlands
have a similar or even greater ice risk than the more northerly
counties.
Derby
|
Lincoln
|
Shrewsbury
|
|
Average
minimum April temperature
|
4C
|
3C
|
3C
|
Absolute
minimum April temperature
|
-6
C
|
-10C
|
-14C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
17
|
20
|
21
|
Estimated
ice risk in April
|
Medium
|
High
|
High
|
Wales
While
the south of Wales is warmed significantly by the Gulf Stream
(Cardiff and Swansea experiencing very low ice risk, for instance),
places that are further north or inland can still see overnight
temperatures plummeting as low as -9C. Inland locations get
significantly less rainfall however, which helps to reduce the ice
risk considerably – so in a wetter year the risk will increase.
Caernarfon
|
Cardiff
|
Wrexham
|
|
Average
minimum April temperature
|
5C
|
6C
|
4C
|
Absolute
minimum April temperature
|
-9
C
|
-1C
|
-5C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
21
|
16
|
3
|
Estimated
ice risk in April
|
High
|
Low
|
Low
|
South West
The
south west region varies greatly, with the westerly counties of
Cornwall, Devon and Somerset being warmed by the Gulf Stream and
giving overnight temperatures that don't drop much too much below
zero if at all; while the counties of Dorset, Wiltshire and
Shropshire are much more like their Midlands neighbours, giving some
significant ice risk.
Truro
|
Exeter
|
Bournemouth
|
|
Average
minimum April temperature
|
7C
|
5C
|
3C
|
Absolute
minimum April temperature
|
1C
|
-5C
|
-13C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
14
|
16
|
19
|
Estimated
ice risk in April
|
Very
Low
|
Medium
|
High
|
East Anglia
The
flat counties of Suffolk, Norwich and Cambridgeshire are exposed to
very cold winds coming in off the North Sea and can all experience
overnight temperatures well below freezing throughout the month of
April, with Ipswich temperatures as low as -12C on occasions
.
.
Cambridge
|
Norwich
|
Ipswich
|
|
Average
minimum April temperature
|
7C
|
5C
|
3C
|
Absolute
minimum April temperature
|
-8
C
|
-3C
|
-12C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
11
|
19
|
19
|
Estimated
ice risk in April
|
Medium
|
Low
|
High
|
Home Counties
The
counties immediately surrounding London, including Surrey,
Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and
Buckinghamshire are generally slightly warmer than the more northerly
and easterly counties. But many places in this region, especially
those away from the coast, have average minimum temperatures only 3
or 4 degrees above freezing, and overnight temperatures well below
freezing, creating a significant ice risk.
Oxford
|
Basingstoke
|
Guildford
|
|
Average
minimum April temperature
|
3C
|
3C
|
4C
|
Absolute
minimum April temperature
|
-8
C
|
-11C
|
-6C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
17
|
19
|
7
|
Estimated ice risk in April
|
High
|
High
|
Medium
|
London and South East
While Central London itself will rarely see sub zero temperatures in April,
even overnight, you do not have to travel far away from the capital
to find a significant risk of overnight ice: Heathrow airport can
experience lows of -11C, for instance.
Colchester, Essex
|
Heathrow, London
|
Maidstone, Kent
|
|
Average minimum April temperature
|
4C
|
5C
|
4C
|
Absolute minimum April temperature
|
-12C
|
-11C
|
-5 C
|
Expected
days rainfall in April
|
19
|
20
|
3
|
Estimated
ice risk in April
|
High
|
High
|
Low
|
In short, unless you are lucky enough to live and work in Cornwall, South Wales or Central London, you can be almost certain to experience some overnight ice throughout the month of April and, in some places, even beyond. While businesses are naturally alert for ice over the winter months, ice in April may catch out many – except for those with gritting contractors in place, watching the weather for them.
Gritting Contractors – click here for full information on how we can help.
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