When temperatures drop, it’s time for companies to place winter storm safety front and center. Not only can proper precautions help protect team members, but they can keep the business itself on safer footing for the road ahead. (Did you know the 2021 freeze cost Texans and local businesses a record amount in repairs, replacements and related costs?) Put simply, it pays to be proactive, and BCH is here to help. Here are a few winter storm safety tips to guide your company through the season.
Understanding Weather Forecast Warnings
The National Weather Service issues various alerts to help you understand the severity of a storm and plan accordingly. Keep your team up to date by monitoring credible news sources when troublesome weather begins to brew. A few advisories you should know include:
- Winter Storm Watch: This alert tells you to be alert because a storm is likely. Consider sending employees a reminder email with an overview of company winter storm procedures and policies.
- Winter Weather Advisory: This indicates experts expect conditions to cause significant hazards, especially to motorists. Consider providing driver safety resources to protect your team members as they head home, or as they carry out essential business during the workday.
- Frost/Freeze Warning: This advisory indicates experts expect below-freezing temperatures and potential damage to plants or crops. During such times, consider providing employees with information that can help at home, such as what to do in the case of an outage, or how to protect against pipe damage.
- Winter Storm Warning: This alert indicates a storm is entering, or has reached the area, so it’s time to take action. At this point you should assess the estimated severity of the storm and establish a clear line of communication with your team. If dangerous conditions, emergency projects or work-from-home situations enter the mix, you’ll want to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Blizzard Warning: This alert means you should be prepared for a combination of snow and strong winds that could result in minimal visibility, deep drifts and potentially life-threatening temperatures. If you and/or your team members are out, seek refuge immediately. Regardless, you should check in with your team to make sure they are safe and aware of any office closures, emergency needs or related information they should know.
Establishing a Plan
To mitigate confusion during a winter storm, provide your employees access to a detailed inclement weather policy. Your plan should address everything from office closures, to employee pay, safety procedures and what to do in the event that there’s damage. Remember, the best way to ensure your employees’ safety is to communicate necessary information at the beginning of the winter storm season — and provide reminders in the event of a weather advisory. Team leaders should meet with their employees to make sure everyone understands what’s expected of them, and where they can find the tools and resources they need. Encourage team members to print or bookmark important information so they can access it from home or at the office.
Safeguarding Your Workplace
Anticipating and preparing for accidents is the best way to prevent them. Keep indoor walkways clear and dry to protect employees and customers from injury. Amid a winter storm watch, test slippery areas near your building’s entrance and cover slick floors with non-slip mats. Alert others to potentially slick areas by creating safe pathways and posting signage. You can also sand and/or salt surfaces that are prone to ice and snow. If you rent an office space, contact your property management team before winter storm season, so you familiarize yourself with their procedures.
BCH is here to help with winter storm safety tips and beyond. Our website is stocked with risk insights and resources you can use to protect your business against adverse conditions, and we’re glad to assist with any business insurance, risk management and employee benefits questions you might have. Feel free to contact us at any time. It’s all part of being here when it matters.