Is your business prepared for winter weather? Failure to prepare for a winter storm could leave you at risk, both for injuries on your property and for unnecessary and unwanted closure due to snow that hasn’t been removed properly. This winter checklist will help you make the necessary plans for preparedness, to ensure your business is ready for whatever weather emergency comes your way.
How to Prepare Your Business for a Winter Storm
There’s no getting around the inevitability of winter storms. They are going to happen, and your business needs to be prepared to keep your employees and customers properly protected and your business up and running successfully. Whether you’re facing a blizzard or an ice storm, there are certain steps you can take to prevent closures and safety issues this winter.
1. Have a Plan for Snow and Ice Removal
One of the most important things to do to prep for winter storms is to plan for snow and ice removal. You will need to make your business accessible to your employees and customers, and that requires the snow to be removed and the ice to be addressed. Often, partnering with a professional snow removal team is the most cost-effective option, because you won’t have to shovel or work a snow plow yourself in the event of a winter storm.
As you make your snow removal plan, be sure to consider plans for re-freezing. After you salt your sidewalks, pay attention to the weather. If the temperatures stay below zero, there is always a risk that the sidewalks will freeze again. Make sure your snow removal company you use plans for repeated de-icing.
2. Protect Sensitive Equipment from Freezing
One risk in a snow or ice storm is the risk of power outage. Do you have equipment that would be damaged if it freezes? Plumbing equipment, electronic equipment, manufacturing materials, and similar products are all at risk. To protect them, consider investing in a generator that can keep power flowing short-term to these critical areas.
3. Gather Contact Information
Make sure you have contact information for vendors and employees on hand at home if there is a winter storm looming. You need to be able to call your people to tell them not to venture out if you have to close due to winter weather. If you determine that it’s not safe to open your business, call these people. If you have regular clients who also need notified, keep their contact information on hand as well.
4. Have Definitive Plans
Finally, sit down with the leadership team of your business to make definitive plans about when you will close and when you will stay open. Consider the costs of closures alongside the risk of staying open when the weather is hazardous. Have a plan in place that you can communicate with your team members to avoid confusion and undue risk.
As part of your plan, determine who will make the necessary calls when you face a winter storm. Who will call vendors and clients, and who will call the snow removal company? By clearly outlining these jobs, you will avoid forgetting one of these important tasks.
5. Use Social Media
Social media can be a helpful tool to get the word out to customers, clients, and employees if you do close during a winter storm. Use it regularly for this, and your people will start checking there first for announcements. In the event of an emergency, you could help encourage your employees and customers to be safe in the event of a blizzard.
Why Snow Removal Services Are Important
Small businesses have a lot on their plates. One of their responsibilities is to provide a safe work environment for employees and a safe shopping environment for their customers and clients. Winter storms bring unwelcome risks that can increase your liability, and you need to make sure that you’re addressing these risks effectively. While you can address snow and ice yourself, it may not be the best option. Here are some reasons why professional snow removal is so important.
- The pros have the right equipment to do the job accurately and efficiently. This includes removing the snow from site if needed and planning for re-freezing.
- Working with a pro prevents injuries, both to people using your facility and to those who might be doing the work of snow removal. Snow shoveling can increase the risk of work-related injuries for your team.
- Avoid fines and lawsuits. Many municipalities will fine businesses that don’t properly clear their parking areas and sidewalks, and working with a pro protects you from this. Also, people who slip and fall on the ice can sue your company, and having professional snow removal reduces this risk.
- Reduce stress. When you have a snow removal service, you don’t have to stress yourself with the task, and you can focus on other areas of your business.
Get on Our Snow Removal Service List!
Senske Services offers professional snow removal services. As you prepare for cold weather and the inevitable winter storms that we will be having, take one task off your list. Call Senske Services to get on our snow removal list, and know that you’ll always have professional help to keep your driveways and sidewalks clear.