With the extreme weather the world has been witnessing, it is important to prepare for a heavy winter this year. Unfortunately, winter can cause many challenges for businesses, especially those with a physical workspace or the import and export of goods. This kind of disruption is not good for business and is important to eliminate as many risk factors as possible, so your business doesn’t lose money, customers, or employees. 

If you want to minimize disruptions in your business this year, then here are some top tips for you to start planning. 

#1 Snow and ice management 

Snow and ice are an inevitable challenge in the winter months. Although some people find the elements all fun and games, it is important as a business owner that you ensure all your employees and customers are safe and minimize any hazards the snow and ice pose. Make sure the snow is cleared by all entrance and exit points, including fire exits, make sure all your drivers have the correct equipment to drive safely, conduct extra risk assessments around the building, and consider partnering with a trusted company for parking lot snow removal for larger, commercial premises. It can also be helpful to stock up on rock salt that can be used around the pavements outside your buildings. These actions will ensure your business can run as normally as possible, and minimize the risk for injury or legal claims against you. 

#2 Maintenance of heating systems 

Regardless of how well your heating system has worked over the years, unfortunately, with a significant drop in temperature, any heating system is at risk of failing. To avoid as many issues as possible, ensure you get your system serviced at least every 12 months with an experienced engineer, ideally after summer and into the fall months, in preparation for winter. Or consider updating your heating system if it is old. It is also recommended that you leave your heating systems running throughout winter, rather than turning them on and off regularly. This can be set to a low number if necessary but will keep the building at a good temperature, and minimize the risk of any problems. 

#3 Exterior maintenance 

Not only is your building more susceptible to failure during the winter months, with the extreme weather, also makes it a lot harder to repair. With this in mind, it is important to assess the exterior of your building before winter comes, to see if you can identify any issues that have started or may get worse during the colder months. For example, are the gutters and drains clogged? If so, this can lead to unwanted flooding and water leaking into your property. It can also be helpful to check for standing water or cracked/loose tiles on your roof. 

It is important to prepare your physical space for your employees and customers, as you have a duty to look after them. Make sure when partnering with contractors to help with snow removal, heating systems, and work on your building, you always choose a reputable company you can trust.