Property and casualty insurance provider Zurich offers these winter weather safety tips to help service repair shops guard against slip/fall accidents:
- Stock up early on salt, sand or ice melt. Use calcium chloride instead of rock salt. It works better at low temperatures and is less damaging to concrete and landscaping.
- Purchase entry walk-off mats that are not so thick as to block the swing of
- entry doors.
- Extend mats 8 to 12 feet into the entrance to allow for the removal of moisture from shoes. A rule of the thumb is to have the mat long enough so that each foot steps on the mat three times.
- Institute frequent floor surface monitoring by designated staff throughout a weather event.
- Have dry mops and wet floor signs readily available.
- Consider closing side entrances if you lack the resources for frequent inspection and maintenance.
- Post an employee at entrances during peak hours to encourage wiping feet on mats. You can also post a sign to get attention.
- Inspect handrails to ensure they meet minimum strength and positioning requirements. Consider installing more handrails to aid in winter safety.
- Inspect awnings, gutters, roofs and downspouts for repair or replacement. A dripping gutter over an entryway can lead to ice buildup.
- Be sure walkways are clear before releasing staff early from work during storms.
- Review/implement snow removal contracts/system.
- Ensure duties are clearly defined for your staff and for any snow removal contractors you use. And be sure any snow removal contract specifies how often salting / snow removal is to be preformed.
If you have any questions or comments, contact your Zurich account executive or the Loss Prevention Department at (800) 821-7803.
This Loss Prevention Bulletin is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult with qualified legal counsel to address your particular circumstances and needs. Zurich is not providing legal advice and assumes no liability concerning the information set forth above.
