WINTER MAINTENANCE
Following on from one of the worst winters in living memory, Vicky Lopez, Founder and Director at De-ice, suggests things could be just as bad this year and encourages businesses to act now.
Recoiling from the ‘Beast from the East’ Last winter was unprecedented - thanks to three major snow events all rolled into the one period. It was also a long season; with winter starting in early November 2017 and going through until mid April 2018. It wasn’t all cold, it was punctuated with some very mild temperatures. But when the weather was at its worst we saw some counties being completely cut off.
It would be safe to say that in our 20+ years of operation it was our most challenging one yet, with our snow ploughs operating at full tilt for 1500+ hours. Like every other year we were ready to provide a comprehensive service to our clients, and - on many occasions - organisations not in contract, but in desperate need of emergency support to ensure the safety of their sites. We did all we could for who we could and when we could.
Finite resources and planning Following on from the impact of last winter there was the stark realisation that for some people (and for the UK in general), there are only a finite number of resources. When we see sustained long periods of cold weather and snowfall, we have to rely on the bank of machinery and manpower which is available. When it came to providing winter service, the main issues were due to council road closures, which often presented real challenges - as our gritting vehicles tried to battle their way through.
Winter 2017-18 and its extreme weather has hit home the real need for businesses to have a winter maintenance plan, or face being caught out. And judging by our ‘red hot’ switchboard during August and September 2018, the message does seem to be getting through loud and clear.
I’m not a gambling woman, but following the weather patterns and cycles we have experienced over the last 20 years, I would take a punt on the UK having
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another couple of harsh winters. It is therefore encouraging to see that so many organisations have a handle on the winter ahead, as we sign up record numbers of new contracts on a daily basis.
Those who haven’t put any plans in place need to ask themselves how they will cope. And how will they ensure their sites are safe for staff and visitors in the event of treacherous weather? Organisations have a duty of care - to assess the risks and to ensure they are properly prepared. Failure to take the right approach can and will, inevitably, have disastrous consequences.
Investing in the right levels of support When it comes to winter service delivery, it really is a case of appreciating that one size does not fit all.
Yes, it’s vital that you engage with your suppliers early and be honest about your expectations. But it is also a case of being willing to invest - to ensure you have the right levels of support in place, to include major snow events.
Reviewing and agreeing on specific site requirements is key. Busy FMs need to know that their winter maintenance provider has full capability 24/7, when it comes to monitoring the weather, providing service and evidence of that service.
Partnering with a winter gritting and risk-management provider will ensure consistent service levels, along with a full audit trail. At the end of the day, it is about demonstrating best practice, adhering to health and safety requirements and managing the impact of adverse weather.
Those still recoiling from the events of last winter need to shun their fears and gather momentum in order to face winter 2018-19 head on. After all, you only get one chance.
www.de-ice.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
SNOW LAUGHING MATTER
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