With this in mind, here are some winter health and safety tips for your business:

MAKE SURE YOUR WORKPLACE IS WELL LIT

The days are shorter and for most businesses, employees will be arriving and leaving the workplace in the dark. Make sure internal and external lighting is fully operational, and check with your staff to ensure all areas have been assessed.

REVIEW YOUR LONE WORKING PROCEDURES

For the same reasons as before, it is important to look after your staff when lone working or working remotely, especially during cold weather. Review your policies, make the procedures in place are robust and communicate this message to your staff.

CHECK YOUR HEATING SYSTEMS

Ideally, this will have been done in the summer months but if not ensure your heating systems are fully serviced by a professional to avoid any issues before it gets too cold.

IDENTIFY THE AREAS USED BY PEDESTRIANS THAT ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY ICE AND TAKE ACTION NOW

Entrances to buildings, walkways, shortcuts and car parks. These will all be affected and need to be regularly monitored. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and if it approaches freezing then make sure that the paths are safe enough, when the night falls or early in the morning, before employees arrive, is another top winter health and safety tip.

RAISE AWARENESS OF WINTER DRIVING HAZARDS

Remind staff to ensure their vehicles are prepared for the winter weather: Lights are fully operational, the battery is fully charged, screen wash is the right concentration, tyres are in good condition and brakes are working well.

HELP KEEP YOUR STAFF FIT AND HEALTHY

There are plenty of illnesses that are exacerbated in cold weather and thus ensure that your staff is keeping warm (in the workplace and at home), drinking enough fluids and getting enough rest.