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

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

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

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

Are you liable if someone slips and injures themselves – or any other passing elves – outside your house?

All clear for shovellers?

Lord Freud, the well being and security minister, wants people across Britain do a very good deed and clear snow from footpaths with out worrying about receiving sued.

Presenting his evaluation of the predicament, Lord Freud stated: “People want to be aware that they will not be reprimanded for undertaking a good deed by clearing ice and snow.”

But why do individuals even consider that clearing snow could lead to a court case?

Myth the point

In past winters, media reports have claimed that overall health and security regulations imply clearing snow at your residence (or your neighbour’s) or outside your company could leave you at danger of litigation.

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

So Lord Freud is worried that would-be excellent Samaritans may 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 1 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 Health and Safety Executive, no significantly less, said: “Anyone can clear ice and snow from public spaces, so don’t be put off because you’re afraid someone will get injured.

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

Snow-go locations

As effectively busting misunderstandings about clearing snow, the government has put together a list of top ideas to support you do it appropriate.

Now, we’re not suggesting for a moment that you want suggestions on how to clear snow, but right here they are anyway…

1. Do it promptly right after the snow falls – it’ll easier to move when it is fresh and loose.

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

3. Use salt if feasible – it will melt the ice or snow and stop it from refreezing overnight (but do not use salt from roadside salting bins as this is necessary to keep roads clear).

4. Use ash and sand if you don’t have enough salt – it will give grip underfoot.

5. Spend further focus when clearing steps and steep pathways – making use of a lot more salt may possibly assist.

Panel beaters

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

Preserve us up to speed in the box beneath.

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