From summer’s heat to winter’s cold, the Midwest embraces each season and the weather it brings. With a little preparation, property owners and businesses can minimize the risks of people slipping and falling that come with snow and ice.
Pardridge Insurance of Sycamore recommends having procedures and resources ready to prevent an accident.
1. Managing winter outside your building
While you may not be able to change the weather forecast, you can prepare for what the forecast will bring.
“Be prepared. Expect the worst so you can be ready to address the potential exposures from snow and ice,” said Glenn Sasse, loss control manager at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. “When you plan for worst-case, it’s easier to scale back your plans.”
If you contract snow removal, ask if there is a minimum amount of snow or ice they will remove. On days where the snowfall does not meet the minimum contracted amount, you will need to be prepared to remove the snow.
Depending on your property, you may also choose to use sand or salt. Either way, make sure you have an adequate supply on hand.
2. Use proper housekeeping inside
Sasse reminds business owners to use precautions for customers entering your building.
“Give people an opportunity to dry their footwear,” said Sasse. “Make sure you have adequate rugs or mats to help catch the snow and slush.”
Be ready to manage floor conditions as they change through the day.
“Have a mop and bucket handy and assign someone to deal with those slip-fall exposures,” said Sasse.
3. What you can do when an accident occurs
First, focus your attention on care for the victim when there is an accident. Then turn your attention to conducting an accident investigation.
“Deal with the injury and make sure you offer proper medical attention,” said Sasse. “Once the person is taken care of, it’s really important for the property owner to conduct an accident investigation. Take photos of the accident scene. Talk to the injured individual and any witnesses. Go through the details of what happened with them.”
Performing an accident investigation will help establish a record of the situation at the time of the accident and may prevent a fraudulent claim. It will also provide you and your employees an opportunity to develop corrective actions that may prevent similar accidents in the future.
For more information
For safety programs and talks you can use at your business, visit Preventing Losses on grinnellmutual.com. For more winter safety tips visit the Front Porch blog.