Clearing snow off the pavement? No need to kerb your enthusiasm

Last year may well have been the warmest on record, but 2015 has brought us up sharp with reminder of just how bitter the weather can be in January.

Temperatures have fallen as low as minus 13.7 degrees centigrade in Scotland, and most components of the UK have seen at least a dusting of winter snow.

A lot more is forecast, which raises a hoary old question – do you clear an accumulation off the pavement in front of your property, or do you let sleeping flakes lie?

Are you liable if an individual slips and injures themselves – or any other passing elves – outdoors your home?

All clear for shovellers?

Lord Freud, the wellness and security minister, wants individuals across Britain do a very good deed and clear snow from footpaths without worrying about obtaining sued.

Presenting his evaluation of the scenario, Lord Freud said: “People need to have to be conscious that they will not be reprimanded for performing a very good deed by clearing ice and snow.”

But why do folks even think that clearing snow could lead to a court case?

Myth the point

In past winters, media reports have claimed that health and safety regulations mean clearing snow at your house (or your neighbour’s) or outdoors your enterprise could leave you at danger of litigation.

Leave a footpath in a treacherous condition, the stories said, and you could be sued for any injuries due to individuals slipping, for instance.

So Lord Freud is worried that would-be good Samaritans might leave their shovels in the shed for worry their effectively-intentioned action could backfire on them.

Acquiring the drift

And he is not the only one in the government speaking out to encourage men and women to clear snow if and when it comes in quantity.

Judith Hackitt, chair of the Overall health and Security Executive, no less, said: “Anyone can clear ice and snow from public spaces, so don’t be place off due to the fact you are afraid an individual will get injured.

“Remember, people walking on snow and ice have a duty to themselves to be cautious.”

Snow-go areas

As nicely busting misunderstandings about clearing snow, the government has place collectively a list of prime suggestions to support you do it correct.

Now, we’re not suggesting for a moment that you need to have guidance on how to clear snow, but here they are anyway…

1. Do it promptly soon after the snow falls – it’ll less difficult to move when it is fresh and loose.

2. Don’t use water to wash snow away – it might refreeze and turn into black ice.

3. Use salt if achievable – it will melt the ice or snow and stop it from refreezing overnight (but don’t use salt from roadside salting bins as this is required to preserve roads clear).

4. Use ash and sand if you do not have enough salt – it will offer grip underfoot.

5. Pay added interest when clearing measures and steep pathways – using much more salt may aid.

Panel beaters

The Overall health and Security Executive is keen to cease bogus excuses give true safety laws a bad name. So if you come across a myth masquerading as health and security regulation, why not report it to the Overall health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Myth Busters Challenge Panel? It has busted 336 myths considering that launch in April 2012.

Maintain us up to speed in the box beneath.

Clearing snow off the pavement? No need to kerb your enthusiasm