Winter poses unique risks for businesses, from power outages to frozen pipes. Explore essential strategies to keep operations running smoothly during harsh winter weather.

By Adrianne Burke, Content Marketing Manager | AccuWeather For Business

Published Nov 7, 2024 9:26 AM EST | Updated Nov 12, 2024 12:09 PM EST

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Winter woes can impact your business. Here are some hazards to look out for and how AccuWeather can help you better protect your company.

COLD WEATHER HAZARDS COULD WREAK HAVOC ON YOUR BUSINESS

When a cold air mass moves in and causes a temperature drop, it could be costly to your business if unprepared. When AccuWeather For Business meteorologists warn that colder temperatures could cause an issue where your assets are located, businesses should be prepared for these winter weather risks.

1. BUSINESS DISRUPTIONS

Heavy snow and ice can cause delays in shipments and other significant impacts by forcing delays or even shutting down your operations.

Ways to prepare:

• Plan for ground logistics disruptions, and identify alternate supply routes due to road closures, downed trees, and power outages

• Coordinate your preparedness activities with vendors, supply chain members, and local partners

• Back up computers and prepare to work remotely if you can't access your building

• Reviewing business insurance policies to ensure you're covered for cold-weather incidents, including damage to property and inventory

2. POWER OUTAGES

Extreme cold, strong winds, and ice accumulating on tree branches and power lines may lead to power outages.

Ways to prepare:

• Secure a generator, and ensure it can maintain functions critical to operations

• Since phone communications may also be out, review policies and procedures and identify ways to reach employees and clients effectively

• Check emergency lighting to make sure it is functioning

• Check for hanging branches near your facility that could break, causing power lines to snap

3. EMPLOYEE ACCIDENTS OR ILLNESSES

Employee sickness is one of the top cold-weather risks for small businesses and can have a disastrous effect on productivity.

Ways to prepare:

• Prioritize cold weather concerns for outdoor workers: provide warm liquids and designate warming areas

• Protect your company against liability by ensuring employees driving in bad weather on company time are trained in safe, cautious driving techniques and know the actions to take in the event of an accident

• Encourage employees to stay home when they are sick

• Keep work areas free of snow and ice to reduce the chance of slips and falls

4. SLIPS AND FALLS

Snow and ice on walkways, parking lots, and work surfaces are common causes for employees and customers.

Ways to prepare:

• Retail: Shovel and salt walkways, dry high-traffic areas inside near your entrance

• Put up "Wet Floor" signs, and keep all floors clear to help prevent falls and reduce liability

• Check drainage areas and make any repairs so water doesn't collect and freeze over

• Fill potholes and cracks when the area is free of snow and ice to prevent uneven surfaces

5. FROZEN PIPES AND EQUIPMENT

When temperatures plummet, it could significantly impact your business if pipes freeze and rupture.

Ways to prepare:

• Monitor and record temperatures in areas that house vulnerable equipment and repeat every few hours

• Drain water-cooled equipment and drain condensed moisture from compressed lines

• Check both wet and dry pipe sprinkler systems to ensure they are ice-free

• Insulate pipes and leave taps dripping; review business insurance policies to ensure you're covered for cold-weather incidents, including damage to property and inventory

6. BUILDING OR WAREHOUSE DAMAGE/ROOF COLLAPSE

Accumulation of snow and ice can lead to a roof collapse or trees falling on your building.

Ways to prepare:

• If possible, designate someone to remove ice and snow accumulation on roofs and drains

• Identify areas on the facility's roof that may be weak and unable to hold piles of accumulating snow

• Talk with your insurance providers to ensure that you have the necessary types of coverage

• Take steps to protect inventory to prevent loss due to rupture pipes, building damage, and roof collapse

AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service™

Businesses using AccuWeather’s Snow Warning Service™ are the best prepared for winter storms, and their employees are safer because they receive the most advance notice and more accurate, pinpoint forecasts. Clients received the start and stop times and accumulation totals throughout the storm. Receiving more advance notice allows businesses to plan accordingly and adjust staffing levels.

Protect your business and team members by making the best weather-impacted decisions with AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service, backed by forecasts and warnings with Superior Accuracy™. Businesses get location-specific forecasts and 24x7x365 consulting services for snow, ice, blizzards, and other winter-hazard events.

AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service features include:

• Precise weather event start and end times

• Total expected snow and ice accumulations

• Specific changeover times for snow, ice, and rain

• Hourly temperatures and wind conditions before, during, and after the storm

• Post-storm weather conditions, including verified precipitation amounts.

Reduce liability, increase safety, and substantially reduce the risk of injury to your employees and customers with AccuWeather For Business. Contact us today for more about how we can help your business be better prepared and your people safer.

Want to learn more about AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service™? Talk to an expert today.

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