Winter is one of the most challenging seasons for the management of commercial grounds and gardens. Shorter days, low temperatures, ice, snow and prolonged wet conditions all increase the risk of accidents. As a commercial property owner or facilities manager, you are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure that grounds remain safe, accessible and compliant with health and safety legislation throughout the winter months. So what can you do to keep commercial grounds and gardens safe in winter? And how can a professional team help?
Understanding your legal responsibilities
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, you have a legal obligation to manage foreseeable risks on your premises. In winter, hazards such as ice, slippery leaves, uneven surfaces and falling debris are all considered predictable risks, and as such, failing to manage them appropriately can result in accidents, injury claims and enforcement action.
You should review your risk assessments in winter and update these to reflect seasonal hazards. You should also ensure that maintenance schedules, inspection regimes and emergency plans are adjusted to cope with severe weather conditions.
Managing ice and snow on paths and access routes
Slips and falls remain one of the most common causes of workplace injuries, and icy surfaces significantly increase that risk. When you hire a professional team for your commercial grounds and garden maintenance, you can be sure that they will focus on keeping key access routes safe and usable at all times.
Footpaths, car parks, loading bays, steps, ramps and fire exits are some of the biggest priority areas for gritting, leaf removal, and snow clearance. These are the biggest risk areas for trips and falls, and a professional grounds maintenance team will make sure these are clear, and compliant with regulations.
Leaf clearance and surface management
While autumn leaf fall is an obvious concern, leaf litter often remains a problem well into winter, particularly during storms and high winds. Wet leaves can be just as slippery as ice and so should be treated as a serious hazard.
A professional grounds maintenance team will be sure to regularly sweep and collect leaves from walkways, entrances, steps and hard landscaping. This is particularly important on sloped surfaces and in shaded areas where moisture lingers. They will also check that moss and algae growth is controlled, as these can become more hazardous during cold, damp conditions.
Hard surfaces will also be inspected for cracks, loose paving or uneven edges, which may worsen during freeze-thaw cycles. Early repairs reduce trip risks and prevent further deterioration.
Tree safety and winter inspections
Winter weather increases the likelihood of falling branches and tree failures, especially during high winds, snow loading or prolonged waterlogging. Trees on commercial sites should be inspected regularly by a professional maintenance team to identify deadwood, structural weaknesses or unstable root systems.
Routine winter tree works, such as crown lifting, deadwood removal and formative pruning, help reduce the risk of injury or property damage. Any trees adjacent to footpaths, roads, buildings or car parks should receive particular attention from your landscaping team.
Managing soft landscaping and turf areas
Although grass growth slows in winter, turf areas still require monitoring. Waterlogged ground can become slippery and unstable, particularly on banks and informal pathways where people may walk.
As a result, you may need to restrict access to certain areas during prolonged wet or icy conditions to prevent accidents and surface damage. Clear signage and temporary barriers also help to demonstrate that you have taken reasonable precautions.
Keeping commercial grounds and gardens safe in winter
Keeping commercial grounds and gardens safe in winter is an essential part of professional property management. Through diligent maintenance, regular inspections and clear procedures, a professional and trusted grounds and garden maintenance team can keep your commercial property safe and compliant all year round.
For high quality, professional and reliable gardens and grounds maintenance you can count on, all year round, get in touch with the experts today, here at Green Scenery. We are Preston’s leading garden and grounds maintenance experts for both commercial and residential properties.