When Should You Start Gritting This Winter?

It’s that time of year again. Although October was unseasonably warm, temperatures are expected to fall throughout November – and before too long, winter will have well and truly set in!

As the weather gets colder, businesses’ attention must turn to the safety of their visitors and colleagues. The threat of ice persists throughout the winter – and ice can cause real issues and complications for businesses. If someone slips and injures themselves on an un-gritted pathway, you could be held liable. Not only is there a financial risk but, if an employee is injured, they may have to take time off work.

With all that in mind, the importance of regular gritting throughout the winter becomes clear. Equally though, you don’t want to grit your car park and pathways unnecessarily. Nobody wants to waste money, especially in the current climate as profits are squeezed due to rising energy bills.

So, when should you start gritting? What’s the best way to maximise safety and keep costs under control?

The experts’ advice

The answer isn’t totally straightforward. The best way to know when to grit is to monitor the temperature closely – and by that we mean the road temperature, not the air temperature. Because roads and pathways retain heat more effectively than most surfaces, they might not experience ice or frost even if nearby grass and vehicles are coated in it.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, grit should be applied, “when frost, ice or snow is forecast or when walkways are likely to be damp or wet and the floor temperatures are at, or below freezing.”

It suggests applying the grit before the frost sets in, either in the evening or before guests and employees arrive in the morning. Both options will achieve the desired result. If you’re serious about safety though, you may want to do it the night before – grit can take a little while to take effect.

Winter gritting services

Need a little more advice or want to find a company you can rely on to carry out your gritting this winter? Take a look at our great-value winter gritting services today or call us for a free quote.