Hauliers must grit yards to prevent injury claims

Haulage firms must properly grit yards, steps and walkways affected by snow and ice or face compensation claims for accidents, a personal injury lawyer has warned.

Jeremy Bradshaw, solicitor at Liverpool-based Mace & Jones, says safety signs at premises must also be "clearly visible and kept free of snow and ice" and that speed limits in yards and access roads should be reduced to reflect the fact that stopping distances may be increased.

He adds: "Employers should carry out an assessment to check for any additional risks posed by the winter conditions. This risk assessment should be recorded in writing and a record kept of it."

Bradshaw advises transport bosses to:

• require drivers to carry winter survival kits in their cabs;
• provide appropriate personal protective gear for cold conditions;
• supply extra heaters if the temperature drops below the minimum indoor temperature requirement of 16°c, or for 'active' work, 13°c;
• reschedule non-urgent tasks;
• offer a warm rest area for workers and give sufficient breaks;
• create a job-rotation system for workers spending a lot of time outside.

Piers Carroll, vice-chairman of Saints Transport, based in Colnbrook, Berks, says: "We are very strict with our health and safety procedures. Our Manchester and Glasgow yards have been the worst affected by the conditions, but we've put plenty of salt down and have had the boys shovelling snow when necessary."

Food service specialist 3663 employed a local farmer to help its staff clear the yard and Salmon Fields access road at its depot in Royton, Greater Manchester.

Shaun Foley, operations director logistics at 3663, says: "He has also been towing our double-deck trucks up the Salmon Fields Hill. The 3663 team has worked tirelessly and shifted approximately 80 tonnes of snow already.

"We've used around 15 tonnes of rock salt to clear not only the 3663 yards, but also access roads around the depot."