When winter arrives, freezes may catch businesses off guard. Preparing for low temperatures helps you and your staff stay safe, prevent expensive damages, and helps keep your operations running as smooth as possible.
Below are a few tips to help ensure your business and employees are ready when the temperatures drop.
- Inspect and Insulate Your Pipes
Pipes can burst when temperatures get too low, which leads to expensive repairs and potential water damage.
- Check for uncovered pipes in areas without insulation like attics, crawl spaces, and lines exposed outdoors.
- Wrap all the pipes in areas most prone to freezing with insulation sleeves or heat tape.
- Let a slow trickle of water run from your faucets to prevent freezing and keep pressure from building up.
- Maintain Your HVAC System
Your heating system is going to work harder during a freeze, so make sure it’s prepared.
- Schedule an HVAC professional to inspect your system before winter.
- Keep your filters clean to improve air quality and efficiency.
- Make sure your thermostats are calibrated correctly to maintain a consistent and accurate temperature.
- Protect Employees and Clients
Staying safe is critical during the winter, especially during icy conditions.
- Maintain de-icing materials like salt or sand to use on entrances and parking lots.
- Place CAUTION signs where appropriate to alert people about slippery surfaces.
- Encourage employees to wear shoes that provide traction while working outdoors.
- Provide warm areas for employees to take breaks.
- Invest in Backup Power Sources
Cold weather may lead to sudden power outages, so prepare for the unexpected to keep your business running.
- Invest in generators and keep them fueled and tested in advance.
- Use battery backups and surge protectors to protect equipment important to operations.
- Keep Emergency Supplies in Stock
Having an emergency kit handy would help prepare your workplace for inclement weather.
- Some important items to keep handy are blankets, batteries, first-aid kits, bottled water, flashlights, and non-perishable snacks.
- Have a communication plan in place to contact employees regarding closures and changes in schedules, or operations.
- Dress for the Weather
OSHA recommends the following 3 layers of loose clothes when working in very cold temperatures:
- An inner layer of synthetic fabric to keep moisture away from the body since they hold more body heat than cotton.
- A middle layer of wool or synthetic fabric to provide added insulation in case of getting wet.
- An external layer to protect from wind and rain while allowing some ventilation.
- Educate Your Team
Preparation is a team effort.
- Recommend your team to apply sunscreen with moisturizer and a sun protection factor of 30 or more to exposed skin.
- Train your team to identify symptoms of cold stress like hypothermia (body temperature drops to 95°F or less), frostbite (body tissues freeze), and trench foot (foot injury due to air temperatures 60°F or less.
Plan and Stay Safe
By taking proactive steps, you can minimize risks, protect your team, and ensure your business weathers the cold with ease.
Need Help Preparing?
Reach out to UniqueHR for expert advice on winterizing your workplace.
