Find out what your rights and responsibilities on clearing snow and ice from public areas are.
Common Sense Approach
Eastbourne Borough Council encourages a common sense approach to health and safety, and is focused on the real safety risks at work.
Some employers may be worried that they may attract a liability if snow and ice is not cleared properly.
If you follow the best practice guidance on Directgov you will have taken all resonable steps to ensure the safety of pavements or pathways. People using areas affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.
Gritting twice a day, early in the morning and in the early evening (the times when most traffic – vehicle and pedestrian – is the expected) is likely to be most sensible.
Remember Slippery Floors
One hazard that is frequently forgotten is the slippery floors caused by people bringing in water and slush on their shoes. Extra care with doormats and floor cleaning is likely to help reduce this hazard.
Slips and trips can have nasty consequences - nearly 11,000 workers suffered a serious injury as a result of a slip or trip at work last year.
The HSE Shattered Lives campaign aims to reduce this toll of injuries by highlighting the terrible consequences of slips and trips and explaining the simple practical things that can be done to prevent them.
