Freezing temperatures and snow are part of the UK’s winter; however, experts have warned weather patterns in Britain could deliver a repeat of last year’s Beast from the East. The Met Office said “There is an increased likelihood of cold weather being established across all of the UK. This would bring a greater risk of snow, ice and widespread frost, particularly across northern parts of the country.
Should the Beast from the East return in 2019, we’ve compiled five steps we recommend to best prepare your business to withstand the conditions:
- Sign up for weather alerts to minimise the element of surprise. Use this information to adapt your plans where necessary, for example, to shut off water or remove valuable property from venerable places.
- Ensure you have the correct contingency planning in place – bad weather can cause power outages which can be very costly implications. Consider areas of your business that may be affected if utilities are shut off.
- Self-reliance – purchase essentials in advance that can help you resolve or mitigate potential fallout from severe weather. Forward planning for adverse conditions is key in winter and early investment will be well worth the cost if required.
- Carry out a spot check of your building for any drafts, leaks and cracks. Make sure your boiler has been serviced regularly so business isn’t brought to a halt.
- Assess your access – falls are one of the biggest dangers that bad weather brings. Ensure walkways, car parks and all access points are gritted properly to reduce the risk of an accident. Ensure the maintenance tasks are allocated effectively to personnel and understood.
Northern parts of the country are likely to be most affected between the end of January and middle of February, with reports threatening that Scotland may be severely affected, with heavy snow and icy weather predicted to last until March. Meanwhile, parts of Europe are currently experiencing heavier-than-average snowfall and significantly colder weather conditions.
With widespread disruption to industries and the closure of a number of schools as a result of the cold and wintery conditions last year, reflect on the lessons learned from 2018 in our blog.
