Winter Maintenance Programme - Snow and Ice clearance
We are now moving into the winter period which brings additional challenges OF keeping safe to, from and whilst at the workplace. Cold weather and shorter periods of daylight mean there is more potential for accidents to happen, With a little planning, these can be avoided.
Adverse Weather
Monitor weather conditions often (www.bbc.co.uk/weather) as changes may well impact on the decision to remain open for business or close. If the decision is to remain open, snow and ice clearance should be carried out safely. Last year there were incidents where highway traffic lost control on ice and slid into work areas; office and works staff slipped and fell on ice in car parks and individuals slipped and fell on ground that had become frozen during early mornings and dark evenings, all of these could have been prevented with adequate planning.
Preparing for winter working
Snow and Ice clearance
Have you adequate arrangements in place to move snow, de-ice walkways, steps and vehicle routes. Do you have the tools or adequate specialist products for the job? 
If de-icing is to be undertaken locally make sure you have carried out a risk assessment and communicated the requirements to individuals so they are competent to undertake the task and able to use manual grit spreaders. Plan what area you will move snow to as this may well cause a secondary hazard if not placed correctly.
Who is going to carry out the work, what resources do you have available, what is the cost of that resource? Sometimes there is no one to do or even willing to take this task on, so you may need to think about alternatives or easier methods!
After the snow has fallen, the ice becomes the biggest problem; as the snow melts it is essential to remove the water quickly from the surface, to drain it away in order to stop it refreezing thereby causing a bigger risk. If temperatures remain low or drops during the night the problem will persist and prolong the situation, remember ice is much more difficult to remove when bonded to the surface. The snow should be removed completely from the affected key areas ensuring a clear passage, this must include all drains.
Many locations were caught out last year when there was an unprecedented demand for grit, salt, specialised ice melting products and snow shovels. Stay on the safe side, be prepared – get stocked up now.
Drains & Drainage
It is recommended that drain & gully clearance is carried out early to ensure excess water is free to drain off.
Remember to de-ice the drain pots & check periodically for clearance during long periods of adverse weather.
NB: Last year there were several issues registered when ice and water got under pavers and refroze causing expansion of joints. The damage required pathways to be closed and subsequent costly reinstatement works for the business…
NEVER de-ice drains with grit or clay based products as they will cause blockages and prevent water dispersing.
Gutters
Make sure gutters are free from leaves and debris.
A number of locations last year closed walkways around buildings where icicles had built up around gutters; these subsequently fell to ground during warmer spells only to re-freeze later; plan alternative routes.
Lighting
Adequate lighting around walkways both inside and out is particularly important at this time of year. Existing lighting needs to be checked to ensure it still works correctly after the summer months and new or amended walkways and pedestrian crossings need to be assessed to determine if additional lighting is required.
Water and Heating
In winter it is important to ensure that water supplies do not freeze by ensuring that exposed pipes are correctly lagged. If a burst does occur, do you know where to isolate the supply? Boiler maintenance should be carried out if necessary to ensure these run efficiently and are free from leaks and other problems ahead of the winter period. Any gas heaters must have adequate ventilation - Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer.
Building Maintenance
Last year we had a number of incidents where either materials or the fabric of the buildings became dislodged due to snow build up and fell to ground. Ensure that housekeeping standards are maintained, that items are secured and report any damage such as cracked window panes, roof tiles, loose guttering or similar, snow fall can have a disastrous effect if maintenance is not kept up.
Look out for the build up of leaves and algae on pathways or steps that could cause a slip hazard, we are aware of one individual who slipped last year and seriously injured their back on debris left in a walkway.
Vehicles and Plant
Mirrors, windscreens, reversing cameras and lights have a tendency to get obscured due to mud, dirt and other materials that get thrown up at this time of year. Plant operators must ensure they regularly clean their windows, mirrors and reversing cameras so they can safely see all around. Lights on all vehicles should be cleaned regularly to ensure vehicles are visible at all times. Make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter with regards to windscreen wash, de-icer and good tyres etc.
How can APT help?
Speak to apt site services (01495 308048) who carry out annual and winter maintenance programs for their clients, to include the following:
- Path and drain clearance - high pressure jet washing
- High level Access – guttering & water goods
- Property clearance, clean & waste disposal
- Commercial renovation & remedial all trades
- Emergency clean ups - flooding
- Post severe weather repairs
- Road re-surfacing & pot hole repairs
- Roofing & masonry re-pointing
- M&E - Building & Engineering Works
10. Deep cleans and sanitations
NEW RAPID ICE MELTING PRODUCT
APT have a rapid ice melting & clearance product called Ice Break, as well as a range of other winter products. These will help to keep you safe and remain open for business this winter. Take a look at here for more information: http://www.aptcleaningsupplies.co.uk/products/92-ice-break.aspx How does ice BREAK work –
Understanding gives an intelligent choice
INEffectiveness and limitations of salt based products
Up to now property managers generally use salt & grit based ice melting compounds, usually Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt) a base ingredient combined with grit, sand and clay fillers.
Sodium Chloride has limited effectiveness in extreme cold conditions; it fails to work below -5c degrees. It fails to melt hard frozen ice before re-freezing itself. It is ineffective in dissipating the water. It has a limited ‘working life’ of only up to five hours and constantly requires repeat application. Rock salt takes around 15-20 minutes to be effective, however if the temperature is too cold it will not work at all. Rock salt attacks and corrodes; concrete, pathways, tarmac and other surfaces, causing costly repairs. It is corrosive towards steel fittings and causes damage flooring, carpets, footwear, lawns, trees and shrubs. Rock salt it is often very difficult to distribute evenly and requires trained manual labour, tools and spreading equipment. It requires heavy manual work. Often rock salt becomes hardened and lumps up in the bags or grit stores with limited shelf life. It makes a severe mess and clogs up drains.
What is apt Ice break?
How can our Revolutionary product help you with your winter maintenance planning this season?
ICE BREAK is a successful, easy & natural alternative to rock salt; is manufactured by removing all the products own liquid content, then converting it into small lightweight pellets. Since it is a liquid in its natural state then it quickly reacts and returns to a liquid rapidly absorbing moisture from the atmosphere or ice ( 8 times faster than salt ) effectively breaking the ice bond with the surface and helping to remove the surplus water .
ICE BREAK is a specialized product and it works by attracting moisture to form liquid brine which generates heat to melt the ice. Once on the surface this "brine" can spread out on the ice and start to break its bond with the surface. As the ice is loosened it can be more easily shoveled away while allowing the excess water to dissipate to drains.
The rate of melting depends on how fast the specific chemical reacts to the existing moisture. ICE BREAK works best if applied before snow or ice accumulates.
ICE BREAK must dissolve into a solution quickly to be effective. When these chemicals come in contact with water a reaction is caused that gives off heat to melt ice and snow. The longer the contact time the maximum the effect.
The benefits over Rock Salt:
ü It continually works extremely well in low temperatures down to -25c degrees therefore is unaffected by UK temperatures
ü Work Life - ICE BREAK has a prolonged work life of up to 48 hours
ü Easy Dispensing - the small white, light weight pellets are simple and easy to apply and requires no special equipment or trained labour, anyone can do it - just sow like grass seed.
ü Coverage – it covers an area around eight times more than rock salt and other grit based products.
ü ICE BREAK dissolves rapidly leaving no residues, therefore there is no further action required or cost for clean up or drain maintenance.
ü It stores for up to three years in re-sealable, re usable buckets.
ü ICE BREAK – is safe on concrete, tarmac and does not damage plants or animals, shoes and flooring
ü ICE BREAK’s lasting effectiveness can last as long as two days in one application, this reduces labour costs and call outs. Because ICE BREAK is so quick and easy to dispense most companies find they can often pass the job of clearing main access routes to the caretaker or security team as part of their daily routine during adverse periods, thus allowing clear access for staff and public to arrive and leave safely.
Important to note
Some other ice melt products contain fillers or chemicals commonly found in fertilizers, but that does not mean they are safe to use around vegetation and at high concentrates, these chemicals are harmful to plants and animals. The fillers also leave residues which are unsightly and require clean up similar to rock salt. They are no way as effective as pure pellets.
How to use to maximise effect
Spread the product thinly over the surface. In very cold weather it may be helpful to add some water to the product to begin the melting process as it is the chemical solution of the product and water that actually does the work.
Tips
- Don't over apply the product follow the instructions on the label.
- Don't try to melt everything. Before applying ICE BREAK, make sure any snow accumulation has been shovelled or brushed off.
- Wear gloves when applying Ice Break. The product can sometimes irritate bear skin. Remember Ice Break gets hot!
- Make sure the container is tightly sealed when storing the product as Ice Break can absorb moisture from the air and harden.
- Don’t use Ice Break on new concrete that has not fully cured
Phone: 01495 308048
Fax: 01495 303020
