With bookmakers slashing odds on it being the coldest winter for
100 years, employers and occupiers will be concerned to ensure that
positive steps are taken to implement a winter weather policy in
order to avoid slipping incidents and resultant personal injury
claims. Sarah Mills, Legal Director, considers what
employers/occupiers need to do in order to protect individuals from
the British weather.
Avoid the slips
The Occupier's Liability Act and the Health and Safety at
Work Act, together with associated Regulations impose duties
protecting the safety of individuals whilst at work or visiting
property.
In particular, Regulation 12 of the Workplace (Health Safety and
Welfare) Regulations 1992 includes a requirement that "every
floor in a workplace...shall be kept free from ... any substance
which may cause a person to slip, trip or fall." The
Regulations' Code of Practice specifically refers to winter
weather, requiring that "arrangements should be made
