FACILITIES

Winter Preparedness: Snow Removal, Freezing Rain, and Frozen Pipe Prevention

Winter presents unique challenges for organizations, as snow, freezing rain, and frozen pipes can lead to significant damage and unsafe conditions for employees and visitors. To avoid costly repairs and minimize risk, it’s critical to have a proactive winter preparedness plan in place. Here are some key steps for managing snow removal, freezing rain, and preventing frozen pipes to help your organization prepare for the winter season.

Snow Removal: Keeping Pathways Safe and Clear

Snow accumulation creates hazards, including blocked access points and dangerous slip-and-fall situations. A well-executed snow removal plan ensures that operations continue smoothly and safely.

Create a Snow Removal Plan
Before winter arrives, establish a detailed snow removal plan. This should outline who is responsible for snow removal, whether handled in-house or by a contractor, and the priority areas to clear such as entrances, sidewalks, parking lots, and loading docks.
Stockpile Essential Supplies
Make sure your organization is equipped with the necessary tools and materials for snow removal. This includes shovels, snow blowers, ice melt, salt, and sand. Ice melt is particularly important to keep icy patches from forming on high-traffic areas like walkways and stairs, minimizing the risk of slips.
Designate Safe Snow Piling Areas
Snow must be piled in safe locations to prevent it from obstructing visibility or blocking drainage. Identify areas where snow can be safely stored, away from entrances and fire exits, to avoid creating additional hazards.
Ensure Proper Drainage
It is very common for snow to melt during sunny day time hours and then refreeze at night, leading to slippery conditions in the morning. Inspecting your property’s outside walking and working surfaces in the morning is critical to identifying areas of possible concern.

Snow Removal continued

Freezing Rain: Reducing the Risk of Slips and Falls
Freezing rain can be more dangerous than snow because it coats surfaces in ice, making walkways, parking lots, and building entrances extremely slippery. Preparation and prompt action are key to managing freezing rain risks.
Monitor Weather Conditions
Stay informed about weather forecasts, particularly during the winter months. Freezing rain can occur with little warning, so closely monitoring conditions will allow you to prepare walkways and surfaces by applying ice melt or pre-salting before the freezing rain begins.

Apply Ice Melt and Sand
Ice melt is crucial for keeping surfaces safe when freezing rain occurs. Apply it to key areas like sidewalks and parking lots to prevent ice from forming. Sand can also provide additional traction on icy surfaces, helping to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Close Off Hazardous Areas
If certain parts of your property become too hazardous due to ice buildup, consider closing them off until conditions improve. Redirect foot traffic to safer areas and ensure that ice removal efforts are focused on the most critical spots.
Install Non-Slip Mats Indoors
Freezing rain often leads to icy conditions inside as well, where moisture is tracked indoors. Placing non-slip mats or rugs near entryways will help prevent slips by providing traction and absorbing water.

Frozen Pipe Prevention: Avoiding Water Damage

Frozen pipes are a common winter problem. When water inside pipes freezes, it expands, potentially causing the pipes to burst and leading to extensive water damage. Preventing frozen pipes is crucial for protecting your facility from expensive repairs.

Insulate Pipes
Pipes located in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and attics are especially vulnerable to freezing. Insulate these pipes with foam pipe insulation to help retain heat. Outdoor pipes can also be wrapped with heat tape for additional protection.

Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Keeping your facility warm is key to preventing pipes from freezing.
Even during off-hours, ensure that
your thermostat is set to at least
55°F (13°C). Make sure that
heating circulates throughout all
areas with plumbing.

Allow Faucets to Drip
During extremely cold weather, allowing faucets to drip can help prevent freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps relieve pressure and keeps the water moving, which reduces the risk of pipes bursting.

Seal Drafts and Openings
Cold air can seep in through gaps around doors, windows, and walls, especially near pipe openings. Inspect your building for drafts and seal any gaps with weatherstripping or caulking to keep the cold air out and maintain warmer temperatures near pipes.

Know How to Shut Off Water
If a pipe does freeze and burst, knowing how to shut off the water supply quickly can minimize water damage. Make sure that key personnel are familiar with the location of the main water shut-off valve and know how to operate it.

View our frozen pipe
checklist.

View our Cold
Weather Checklist

Developing a Winter Preparedness Plan

A comprehensive winter preparedness plan is essential for protecting your organization from winter hazards. This plan should include procedures for snow removal, freezing rain management, and frozen pipe prevention. Make sure all employees are trained in these procedures and aware of their responsibilities in case of winter weather emergencies.

Consider conducting winter readiness drills to ensure everyone is familiar with their roles in managing winter risks. This can significantly reduce the impact of winter storms on your operations and ensure the safety of employees and visitors.

Be Proactive, Be Prepared

Winter weather can be unpredictable, but by taking proactive measures, your organization can minimize the risks posed by snow, freezing rain, and frozen pipes. A well-prepared organization can avoid costly damage, keep employees safe, and ensure business continuity even in the most severe winter conditions.

By developing a thorough winter preparedness plan, your organization will be better equipped to handle the challenges of winter, ensuring smooth operations and safe conditions throughout the season.

Christian Brothers Risk Management Services offers a variety of flyers, guides, and toolkits to help make your workplace safer. This includes a Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention Toolkit to assist your organization in mitigating winter-related risks and creating a safer environment for everyone.

Contact us at 800.807.0300 or via email to learn more about the resources we offer to keep your facility safe this winter.

800.807.0300

rmscustomerservice@cbservices.org