If you own a small business, you know a lot depends on things running smoothly. From OSHA safety recommendations to preparing for an emergency, we’ve got five winter safety tips to help you and your employees get through the cold winter months.
Winter Safety Tips When Working Outside
OSHA doesn’t have certain standards for working in the cold, but employers are obligated to train and educate their employees to prevent falls and severe injuries on worksites. Learn more about how to prepare for and respond to extreme weather here.
Think Of Your Employees and Customers
Snow, hail, it’s not easy getting around in this type of weather. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the winter weather forecast and ensure your employees are well equipped and know which roads to avoid. Also, make sure to shovel the entrance and exits and salt the sidewalks that lead to your building. This can help prevent slips and falls and keep business operations running smoothly.
Communication Is Key
If the winter weather forecast does predict a storm, make sure you have a way to communicate to your employees, so they know whether or not they are expected to work. You can also use social media to communicate with customers and let them know if you will be closed and when you will reopen.
How’s Your Heating System?
It’s essential to make sure your system is running efficiently. Have your system checked by a professional twice a year, once in the summer and again in the winter. If it’s not maintained regularly, you could experience significant issues that could have been avoided.
Check On Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Replace batteries regularly for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is very important if you will be using a generator. Portable generators should never keep it indoors because they produce high levels of carbon monoxide and could cause harm to anyone inside the building. You can find more info about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors here.
Extra Seasonal Inventory
The cold weather usually means the holidays are just around the corner. If your business carries more inventory during this time of year, you may consider including Automatic Seasonal Increase coverage for your Business Owners Policy. This type of coverage automatically increases your policy limit for business personal property by 25%.
We hope you and your business stay safe this holiday season. If you are looking for more winter safety tips, check out our blog with 11 Fireplace Safety Tips For Your Home.