Winter storm prep: Focus on people, property, protection

As calls for urgent action on climate change make headlines around the globe, the focus is often on hurricanes, floods, droughts and wildfires. Less covered is how climate change may be affecting winter hazards, but the overall warming of the planet is putting more moisture into the atmosphere, resulting in more large-scale winter storms.

The U.S. experienced nearly twice as many extreme snowstorms during the second half of the 20^th century as in the first half, and major events like the historic winter storm that hit Texas in February 2021 indicate we’re not getting off the hook so far in this century.

Businesses now need to realize winter storm planning isn’t just for companies operating in states with traditionally colder seasonal conditions and/or heavy snowfall. Just one unexpected major winter storm can result in injuries, shut down facilities and equipment, disrupt supply chains and in a multitude of different ways adversely impact a business.

As with other natural hazards, protecting your workforce and your business from the wrath of Old Man Winter requires a thorough and regularly updated Emergency Response Plan (ERP). After setting your mitigation steps in motion, the next phase of an ERP is preparation.

Preparing your people

Extreme winter weather can put your employees, customers and business partners at risk. Slip, trip and fall accidents rise as walkways become icy and slippery. Indeed, The National Safety Council reports that in 2022, winter weather was among the leading weather-related causes of death. Make sure everyone involved in your business is ready for winter weather emergencies.

Employees

• Review National Weather Service alert terminology with staff.
• Set up a notification system so employees are aware of facility closures.
• Train employees who work outdoors about the signs and symptoms of cold weather exposure.
• Educate employees to stay home when sick.

Contractors

• Carefully review all contracts for snow removal for adequate levels of insurance.
• Verify that contracts for snow removal are established when action is to begin.

Vendors, suppliers and customers

Ensure anyone outside your company who comes to your business facilities is given as much adequate warning as possible to weather-related conditions that may affect their visit. For vendors and suppliers, email and/or phone communications may be most efficient. For customers, notifications via on-site signage or website alerts may be required.

Preparing your property

Walkway safety

Ensure you have needed supplies and equipment to help keep sidewalks, parking lots and other walkways safe as surfaces become icy. As a winter storm can hit suddenly, it’s important to have salt, sand, shovels, plows and other equipment ready well before you need to respond to the storm conditions.

Rooftop snow removal

Snowplows and snowblowers may do the job in clearing your sidewalks and parking areas, but heavy snowfall on rooftops creates risk exposures ranging from water damage to potential collapse, depending on the structure’s age, building materials and upkeep. After you’ve gauged snow loads and other snow removal planning considerations as part of mitigation efforts, be sure you have proper tools and equipment for safe, rooftop snow removal. These may include:

• Fall protection anchor points
• Fall protection connectors
• Fall protection harnesses
• Equipment to mark drop zones where snow is dropped off the roof
• Plastic snow shovels (plastic, as opposed to metal, to help reduce potential damage to roof coverings)
• Plastic sleds and tubs to transport snow off the roof
• Cranes with hoppers (if it’s not possible to dispose of snow off a roof edge)

Of course, higher-end equipment like cranes can be expensive, so your preparation should also include establishing specific triggers for when to activate a safe snow removal plan, taking into account weather conditions, building stability and potential business impacts.

Be ready for arctic blasts

Extreme cold that comes on quickly can wreak havoc on a building’s heating and insulation. Make sure you’re ready for a sudden drop in temperature by:

• Conducting periodic cold weather inspections
• Safely increasing building heat to all areas as soon as forecasts indicate the oncoming cold
• Overriding energy saving set-back thermostats or building management programs that otherwise may automatically reduce building temperatures during the cold wave

If a business property will be idle or mainly unoccupied for any length of time, ensure you have knowledgeable professionals ready to respond as needed when extreme cold is predicted.

Combatting freeze-ups

Freezing temperatures are a source of many property headaches, creating potential issues for water lines, plumbing and other water-based systems. Before sub-zero weather hits, make sure you have professional inspections and maintenance performed on:

• Building envelope: Verify windows and doors are functional, weather-tight and in good repair.
• Heating systems
• Air-handling units: Verify dampers work and fans are controlled by thermostat for automatic shutdown in the event of freezing temperatures.
• Fire alarm systems: Check building low-temperature and sprinkler system air pressure supervisory devices in accordance with industry standards.
• Non-freeze fire protection systems: Check dry pipe system air sources, air pressure levels and low point drains, and check antifreeze system solution in accordance with industry standards.
• Insulating systems protecting water-filled pipe: Verify coverings are intact.
• Heat-trace systems protecting water-filled pipe

Vehicle preparation

If your business depends on availability of company vehicles, be sure to:

• Review winter driving safety measures with each driver.
• Verify that emergency supplies are provided in each vehicle.
• Winterize each vehicle.
• Maintain fuel levels above a half-tank during cold weather.

Even with the best preparation, your business may suffer losses or injuries related to winter weather, so you should review your company’s current Property, Workers’ Compensation and Accident and Health insurance coverages — along with all other relevant policies — and update them or procure new coverages as needed.

Winter storm hazards are not to be underestimated, but with a carefully developed ERP, they don’t need to be a source of great anxiety. Knowing you have done all you can to prepare for cold weather risks will let you enjoy the pleasures of the season instead of its pain points.

Visit the Winter Storm Resource Hub for additional insights.