This publish is a part of a sequence sponsored by IAT Insurance coverage Group.
Winter climate is simply across the nook. To scale back the danger of hazards, winter preparation is important. Now could be the time for constructing mangers to prepared their premises and for drivers to winterize and equip their automobiles for winter driving situations. Now can be a good time for fleet managers to remind drivers of protected driving methods throughout winter situations.
Wintertime constructing preparation
As weather-related dangers head our method, constructing homeowners and facility managers ought to overview security insurance policies and procedures, replace incident response plans and prepared their premises. Listed below are some steps to do exactly that:
- Examine your premises. Examine the grounds each day. Study sidewalks and parking heaps for slip and fall hazards, and file all fixes and repairs. This documentation proves that precautions have been met to mitigate incidents and demonstrates a proactive strategy to managing these hazards. If safety cameras are in place, be certain their lens is evident and the system is working accordingly. Cameras are a deterrent to trespassing and may present a file of exercise in your property.
- Mild the best way. Poor lighting will increase the danger of slips, journeys and falls. Illuminate walkways, staircases, ramps and hallways. Make certain outside lights are working and programmed to activate at nightfall.
- Put together for ice. Rain, snow and ice creates slip hazards. Ice melting merchandise and non-slip runners can tremendously cut back these hazards. Make certain downspouts, canopies and overhangs don’t drain onto pedestrian site visitors areas. Gutters and downspouts also needs to be cleaned earlier than winter arrives.
- Preserve your grounds. Preserve exterior steps, ramps, walkways, entry and exit factors. Clear snow and ice from walkways and parking heaps because it accumulates. Internally, use moisture-absorbent mats at entry factors with beveled edges and non-slip backing to stop sliding. Rotate moist rugs with dry rugs all through the day. Clear up spills instantly and show “moist flooring” or comparable signage as wanted.
- Put together for chilly climate calamities. Put together for freezing pipes, inside water losses from heavy rainfall, and clogged storm and roof drains with preventative upkeep. Examine heating programs and ensure smoke detectors and CO2 displays are working nicely.
Getting ready gear and automobiles
Earlier than driving in adversarial climate situations, all drivers ought to carry out the next security checks and measures on their automobiles:
- Examine tire treads and stress, as worn tires trigger many automobile accidents — particularly in moist, snowy or icy situations.
- Make certain the defrost, warmth and windshield wipers are working and anti-freeze is crammed.
- Preserve the gasoline degree above half a tank.
- Preserve an emergency package contained in the automobile that features a shovel, heavy blanket, flashlight, batteries, snacks, water, gloves, boots, ice scraper, and jumper cables.
- Have tire chains prepared in case you are in an space the place snow is widespread or chains are mandated by regulation. Drivers ought to know learn how to set up the chains earlier than they’re wanted, so a fast reminder/coaching session in your subsequent security assembly could also be so as.
Winter driving ideas
When transporting hundreds in adversarial climate situations, fleets ought to encourage their drivers to do the next:
- Enhance their following distance by three to 4 instances. Roughly 1.7 million rear-end collisions happen on U.S. roads every year.[1]
- Decrease pace to half below snowy situations.[2]
- Keep away from sudden actions in steering, accelerating and braking, and so forth., to keep up traction.
- Allocate extra time for journeys.
- Be careful for black ice. Monitoring home windows for ice buildup is an efficient indication of what’s occurring on the street. One other is when automobiles not have spray coming off their tires. Moisture on the street could be develop into ice because the temperature drops.
- Bear in mind that different drivers will not be acquainted with winter driving. They might be touring nicely beneath the posted pace restrict, or the alternative, driving too quick for the situations. Be affected person and cautious round others who will not be skilled drivers.
Some further suggestions embody carefully following the forecast, checking the newest journey situation info on the Nationwide Freeway Administration’s “511” hotline, figuring out potential cease areas, and ready till hazardous situations move.
And bear in mind, “No load is value your life.”
ASK A LOSS CONTROL REPRESENTATIVE
Have a query on learn how to mitigate threat? Electronic mail [email protected] for an opportunity to see your query answered in a future weblog.
By Nick Martin and Jared Fritts
[1] The Washington Publish “There are about 1.7 million year-end collisions on U.S. roads each year. Here’s how to stop them,” June 8, 2015.
[2] Federal Motor Service Security Administration “CMV Driving Tips – Too Fast for Conditions,” February 11, 2015.
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