Prepare Your Workplace for Winter Weather
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The approach of winter means different things to different people. You might be eager for holiday events and snowy days, but if you’re a business owner in the northeast, it’s important to prepare your business for the inevitable wintry weather. In the fall and winter, Massachusetts can get hit with some nasty hurricanes and blizzards. We can’t forget that only last year, the northeast got hammered by winter storms, including Storm Niko, and faced serious snow and flooding. If you’re familiar with storms in the northeast, you’ll know that winters can range from freezing rain and ice to a moderate snowfall over a few hours to blizzard conditions with blinding snow that lasts weeks.
Whether your business’s location is in Needham, Natick, or surrounding towns, you should adequately prepare it for the season ahead.
- Prepare your office building
Extreme winter storms can cause expensive structural damage to your building. The most common culprits are frozen pipes that burst, meaning that melting water seeps indoors. Be sure to check your building carefully for drafts, leaks, and cracks. Replace old weather stripping at the bottom of doors to hold off melting snow that piles up outside. Maintain a supply of floor mats to keep by the door, and encourage employees and customers to wipe their feet before entering the building.
- Make a plan for snow and ice removal
Whether it’s a removal service or close friends on speed dial, have a plan in place to get rid of the snow and ice that has built up on your building and surrounding property. Snow and ice can cause structural damage and limit customers’ access to your business if you’re able to stay open. The latter is a potential safety hazard that could result in expensive liability claims, so be sure that pathways leading to and from the building are clear and safe.
- Keep employees in the know
Communicate an emergency plan to employees before an emergency hits. Pay attention to warnings and alerts, and let your employees leave when they can still get home if it is feasible to do so. If there is a chance the business could close in the event of a storm, let employees know ahead of time how they will be notified (text, email, etc.).
- Keep a detailed inventory
While it’s a good idea to maintain your inventory list year-round, it becomes especially important before winter storms. Take photos of your building and all of its contents. Store these pictures in a safe place, and keep detailed records of all equipment and assets. If anything is damaged or destroyed in a storm, the inventory list will make replacements easier.
- Gather digital items
There are certain phone numbers you should have stored in your cell phone. These include your local fire and police lines, the power company, the nearest hospital, and your insurance providers.
A small investment in winter storm preparation for your business can pay huge dividends when a blizzard hits. These tips will help your business weather north-eastern storms. To find out if your business insurance is ready for a fall or winter storm, call CAV Insurance Agency on 781-237-4107. We serve business owners in the Metro West areas such as Natick, Wellesley, Dover, Sherborn, and Weston.