To reduce the risk of slips on ice, frost or snow, you should assess the risks and implement strategies to manage them.
Identify where pedestrians are most likely to slip on ice, for example: site entrances, car parks, and designated walkways.
You need to take action whenever freezing temperatures are forecast. Keep up to date by visiting a weather service website.
Put a procedure in place to prevent an icy surface forming and/or keep pedestrians off the slippery surface, Use grit on areas prone to be slippery in frosty, icy conditions. Grit bins should be available in all areas prone to icy conditions.
Pedestrians should use less slippery walkways if possible and if required set up barriers to block access to areas prone to icy conditions.
Check taps and hoses are all turned off at the end of the day, leaks can freeze and create hazardous conditions.
Workers on scaffolding could be at risk, wet scaffolding boards can become Icy, This coupled with snow covering trailing cables and other trip hazards are known hazards, Clearing snow off scaffolding is essential and a trained person should be appointed to do this task.
Pre site working time inspections should be carried out before workers are on site, Risk Assessments and safe work Method Statements are required to reduce these risks.
Toolbox talks and inductions for new employees should contain relevant information of the site related risks where ice and snow are expected or natural for the location in winter months, these risks should also be in the site health and safety file.
For more information on Site hazard control measures we have an article explaining it: https://buildersafety.org/site-hazard-control-measures/
A General Risk Assessment for slips and trips is available HERE
And this Word Document can be edited with your site related risks.
Contains Partial public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive UK and licensed under the Open Government Licence’.
