Winter is Coming! Are You Ready?
The UG2 Operations’ teams have adapted our preparedness strategies with lessons learned from the last few years. Now, as the weather gets colder, everyone’s gathering in indoor spaces, we are sharing our advice for a safer season.
Inside and Out
Assess and address hazards. From flagging steeper outdoor stairways that may need to be closed in icy weather to reviewing past injury and illness trends, make thorough workplace inspections a regular part of your facility services routine.
Outside Spaces
Inspect ladders and scaffolds before every use. Make sure surfaces are free of ice and snow, protect ladders and scaffolds from the elements by covering them when not in use, and install safety rails on elevated areas.
Maintain roofs. Inspect roofs for damages before and after storms and ensure gutters have been swept free of fall foliage to protect against icicles, ice dams and other potential hazards.
Get fences in shape. Clear away any debris that has built up around fencing. Check posts and shore up weak spots that could be exacerbated by winter weather.
Inside Spaces
Replace HVAC filters. The pandemic reminded us how crucial air quality is to our health. Be sure that you continue to follow guidelines for filter replacement, and upgrade to higher-grade filters if possible.
Don’t slack on cleaning and disinfection. Winter is prime cold and flu season. With indoor spaces sealed up to keep out the cold, maintaining sanitized spaces remains as important as ever.
Vehicle Safety
Prepare vehicles for the season. Change the oil, service the radiator, and maintain the antifreeze level. Check tire treads or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires.
Fuel up and keep supplies handy. Keep your tank full to avoid ice buildup and stay ahead of traffic jams that can leave your fuel gauge dangerously close to empty. Stock your trunk with a portable charger, extra batteries, a blanket, non-perishable food and water, flares, tire pump, booster cables, snow shovel, flashlight, battery-powered radio, and first-aid supplies.
Make It Personal
Promote mental health and safety. The winter months and holiday season can be challenging for some people. COVID-19 increased stress and isolation, and many of us are missing family members this year. Check in with employees and remind them of where they can get support if they are struggling.
Inside and out, facilities management involves a complex infrastructure of services, and planning is essential. Winter weather adds to the number of tasks you have to complete, costs to manage, and resources to supervise.
A strong and reliable partner who truly knows your business can make all the difference – and can even keep your costs down in the long run with routine maintenance that keeps systems and structures healthy. If engaging a facility services provider is right for you, it is critical that you choose a company with a solid reputation and the ability to deliver on their promises.