Winter gritting

How our gritting works

In bad weather, we begin gritting based on the local weather forecast and conditions, which we monitor in advance to foresee low temperatures in different areas. Most importantly, we keep a close eye on surface temperatures, which can be a number of degrees lower than the actual air temperature.

What we do
After a sub-zero temperature has been predicted, we start spreading salt. It’s better to treat roads in advance of a drop in temperature to freezing conditions – i.e. before roads become really icy and dangerous.

How much salt do we use?
This can differ according to your area. However, the recommended quantity of salt for precautionary salting is approximately 10-15 gms/m2, and 40 gms/m2 during icy and snowy conditions, according to recommended guidelines.

How the salt works
Salt can stop ice forming – hence the importance of precautionary icing – and melt existing ice or snow by reducing the freezing point of moisture on the road surface. It’s important to bear in kind that salt doesn’t start working immediately – it needs to be trodden in by pedestrians and/or vehicles first. We use specialist machinery to speed up this process.

After gritting, will our surfaces be 100% safe?
Unfortunately, no road surface can be completely safe. It’s important to know that salt can’t always melt all types of ice, so care must be taken at all points. However, we can promise that we will do everything possible to minimise any danger caused by ice.

The Law
Any occupant of a commercial property is required under the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, including the recent Slip & Trip clause, to evaluate risks and take measures to protect employees and customers from the dangers that ice and snow can bring. Failing to do this may result in legal action being taken by any injured person(s) who have slipped on your icy grounds.

“Slip and trip accidents increase during the winter season, as the cold weather spells cause ice and snow to build up on paths. There are effective actions that you can take to reduce the risk of a slip or trip. Regardless of the size of your site, always ensure that regularly used walkways are promptly tackled.”

Source: Health & Safety Executive

Employer

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