Is Your Business Liable for Winter Accidents?
Winter weather can bring additional responsibilities for business owners. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make conditions dangerous. Accidents on your property or due to your work can lead to expensive claims or legal issues. Understanding your responsibilities and implementing preventive measures can help protect your business from liability this winter.
Common Winter Liability Risks
During winter, businesses face several common liability risks:
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: These are among the most frequent winter claims. Slippery pavements, icy doorways, and wet floors from melting snow can cause falls. This can lead to injuries for customers, employees, and visitors.
- Carpark Hazards: Snow and ice can conceal potholes, curbs, or other obstacles in carparks, leading to accidents. If left poorly maintained, it may also increase your liability risk.
- Falling Debris: Snow and ice can build up on roofs, awnings, or signs. This can cause them to fall, leading to injuries or damage to property.
- Poorly Maintained Entryways: Snow, ice, or mud tracked indoors can create slipping hazards inside your premises.
If you do not mitigate these risks, they can lead to legal action, higher insurance costs, or harm your business's reputation.
When Is Your Business Liable?
Your business may be held responsible for a winter accident based on several factors. These include the details of the incident and whether you took reasonable steps to prevent dangers.
Negligence
If your business failed to fix dangerous conditions quickly and properly, you may be seen as negligent. For example, if you leave snow or ice uncleared for a long time, you could be responsible for any injuries.
Duty of Care
As a property owner, you must ensure your property is kept in a safe condition for both employees and visitors This includes keeping walkways, carparks, and entrances free of ice, snow, or other hazards.
In short, your liability often hinges on whether your actions—or inactions—could be deemed careless under the circumstances.
Laws and regulations
The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require that floors and busy paths should be kept clear of any substance that may cause someone to slip, trip, or fall in the workplace.
This may involve gritting, snow clearing, and even the closure of some routes, specifically, outside stairs, ladders, and walkways on roofs.
How to Reduce Liability Risks
Proactively managing winter hazards is the best way to minimise your business’s liability. Here are some key steps:
- Clear Snow and Ice Regularly: Create a snow removal plan. Make sure to clear high-traffic areas often.
- Apply De-Icers and Sand: Use salt, sand, or other de-icing materials to minimise slick surfaces. Be sure to monitor the effectiveness, especially during heavy snowfalls or freezing rain.
- Install Warning Signs: Place "Caution: Wet Floor" signs near entrances or other areas prone to becoming slippery. Clear signage can warn visitors of potential hazards and reduce your liability risk.
- Check Your Property Often: Look for winter hazards like ice dams on roofs, snow-covered potholes, and frozen drains. Address any issues promptly.
- Train Employees: Educate your staff on how to identify and report hazards. If they get involved in snow removal, provide proper training to ensure they perform tasks safely and effectively.
- Document Your Efforts: Maintain detailed records of snow removal, salting, and inspections. If an incident occurs, having documentation of your preventive efforts can support your defence in a liability claim.
How Insurance Can Protect Your Business
Even with the best preventive measures, accidents can still happen. Having the right insurance coverage ensures your business is financially protected. Key policies include:
- Public Liability Insurance: Covers third-party claims for injuries or property damage. If a customer slips on an icy walkway, this policy helps cover medical expenses or legal fees.
- Employers Liability Cover: Protects employees who are injured while performing work duties, such as clearing snow or salting walkways.
- Commercial Property Insurance: Covers damage to your property caused by winter storms, such as roof collapses from heavy snow.
- Business Interruption Insurance offers financial help if your operations are interrupted by winter-related events. This includes issues like flooding or long power outages.
Review your policies annually to ensure your coverage aligns with current risks.
Contact us today
Winter accidents can be tough for businesses. However, planning ahead and having the right insurance can help reduce your risks.
If you’re unsure whether your current insurance policies provide adequate protection, contact us today for a comprehensive review. Green Insurance Group will help you identify gaps and ensure your business is prepared for whatever winter brings.