Slip and falls represent a huge liability for business owners. Outdoor surfaces, such as parking lots, sidewalks and walkways, are one of the leading areas for slip and fall accidents. These areas become increasingly more hazardous in the winter with the accumulation of snow and ice. Slip and falls are the number one source of loss for Society Insurance policyholders for both customer and employee injuries.
If you own your property you are responsible for the snow and ice removal. If you are a tenant who leases your space check your lease agreement to see who is responsible for snow and ice removal; it may be you! Whether it is in an effort to save time or money, some business owners opt out of using ice melt on slippery sidewalks and entryways. By doing nothing, business owners open themselves up to customer liability claims as well as employee injury. Business owners should have a winter snow removal and ice treatment plan to prevent customers and employees from slipping and falling.
Ice melt plays a major role in preventing slip and fall accidents because it reduces and can even rid pavement surfaces of ice. If a parking lot or sidewalk has been shoveled, a business owner may not think there is a need to put down ice melt. However, underneath the snow there is typically a thin layer of ice that would be reduced if ice melt was used. Even a light dusting of snow can lead to slippery conditions, especially if the temperature drops below freezing as the day wears on.
Having snow and ice safety controls in place is important in preventing slip and fall accidents. Pre-application of ice melt before a storm can have a huge impact on ice and snow removal and ice melt application cycle.