Have a winter maintenance plan -
before you need it Of course, snow and ice remain central to winter maintenance. But the worst time to decide how the site will respond is when the first frost has already arrived.
A robust winter maintenance plan should set out clear responsibilities, treatment priorities, trigger temperatures and response times. It should identify key pedestrian and vehicle routes, accessible pathways, emergency access points and other areas across the estate and facilities that need to be prioritised.
A mechanism should be established whereby weather forecasts are monitored so that there is an escalation process in place to ensure preventative gritting can take place when conditions indicate a risk of ice, rather than waiting until surfaces have already become hazardous. There should also be arrangements in place for snow clearance, including access to the right equipment, materials and staff and contractors.
Check the kit and the people A winter maintenance strategy is only as effective as the resources available to deliver it.
Grit bins should be checked and replenished, salt stocks monitored and equipment such as spreaders, snow shovels, tractors and snow-clearing machinery serviced and tested before they are needed.
This is also the point to review staffing and contractor arrangements. Does everyone know who is responsible for monitoring the weather conditions? Who mobilises the response? Who has authority to escalate the situation, if required, and are there sufficient resources available if severe weather persists over several days? Having answers to these questions in advance can prevent confusion when conditions deteriorate.
Winter brings shorter days and poorer visibility, making external lighting particularly important. Lighting around entrances, pathways, car parks and security-sensitive areas should be inspected before winter. It’s also worth looking at the physical condition of the areas being illuminated. Uneven paving, damaged steps, potholes and other defects can become significantly more hazardous when visibility is poor or surfaces are wet or icy.
Preparation is the real
winter strategy Winter maintenance shouldn’t be viewed as a reactive exercise that begins when temperatures drop. It is a programme of risk reduction that starts in late summer to early autumn and brings together grounds maintenance, drainage, tree management, lighting, equipment, staff and contractors, and contingency planning.
The organisations that cope best with severe weather are rarely the ones scrambling to respond after the event. They are the ones that have already considered where things could go wrong and taken action to prevent problems.
If your team doesn't have the time, resource or specialist expertise to develop a comprehensive winter grounds maintenance strategy, seeking advice from an experienced facilities management consultant is a worthwhile investment. The right support can help reduce risk, improve safety and keep your site and facilities operating smoothly, whatever hazards the winter weather brings.
www.litmusfm.com
www.tomorrowsfm.com TOMORROW’S FM | 19
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