Don’t Leave Your Winter Planning To The Last Minute

Winter can present significant challenges for estate managers, from icy walkways to snow-covered car parks. The ability to keep an estate safe and operational through the harshest winter conditions often comes down to one thing: preparation.

At OUTCO, we work closely with estate managers to develop proactive winter maintenance strategies that keep properties safe, accessible, and functional, no matter what winter brings.

Ensuring that a robust winter plan is in place well ahead of the winter months is not just a smart approach to winter estate management—it’s essential. By taking steps before ice and snow arrive, Facility Managers (FMs) and estate managers can avoid disruptions, reduce the risk of accidents, and manage their properties more effectively. At OUTCO, we believe that forward planning and the use of modern technology can take the guesswork out of winter maintenance, particularly for gritting and snow clearance.

Why Pre-Emptive Action is Best Practice

Waiting until the first snowfall or freeze can leave you scrambling to address potentially hazardous conditions. Pre-emptive winter management not only helps reduce safety risks but also avoids the chaos that reactive management can create. This approach ensures your estate remains functional, accessible, and safe for employees, customers, and visitors throughout the winter season.

Key benefits of pre-emptive winter maintenance include:

• Safety: Preventing ice formation with timely winter gritting can reduce the risk of slips and falls, safeguarding all users of your property.
• Cost Efficiency: Last-minute emergency measures can be costly. By preparing in advance, you can plan and budget more effectively, reducing overall winter maintenance costs.
• Operational Continuity: Icy or snow-covered surfaces can lead to operational downtime. Proactively clearing snow and grit spreading means your estate remains open for business, minimising disruption.

An annual challenge for busy FMs and estate managers is anticipating winter challenges before they occur. At OUTCO, we work with clients to make sure their winter maintenance strategy is in place well before the cold weather hits.

Proactive Strategies for Gritting and Snow Clearance

To keep your estate operational during the winter months, proactive strategies for gritting and snow clearance are essential. By acting before snow and ice accumulate, you can prevent problems rather than reacting to them after they arise.

Here are some effective strategies to implement:

• Pre-Gritting Before Frost: One of the most effective pre-emptive strategies is proactive gritting. This involves spreading salt before the road surface temperature drops below zero, so that ice doesn’t have the chance to form on pathways or roads. Proactive gritting can significantly reduce the chances of ice-related accidents on your estate.  At OUTCO we have pioneered the use of data and technology to increase the accuracy and efficiency of our proactive gritting services.
• Prioritise High-Risk Areas: Certain areas of an estate may require priority treatment. Additional focus and attention may be required in high-risk areas such as entrances, exits, walkways, loading bays, and car parks. These areas are more likely to see heavy foot or vehicle traffic and can become hazardous quickly if not treated first.
• Scheduled Snow Clearance: Having a scheduled snow clearance plan means that snow is cleared promptly after snowfall, reducing the risk of it compacting into ice, which is more difficult and dangerous to clear.
• Monitor and Adjust: Winter weather can change rapidly, so it’s important to regularly monitor the condition of gritted areas and adjust as needed. This can involve additional gritting or snow clearance if conditions worsen.

By working with a professional winter maintenance provider like OUTCO, estate managers can ensure that their proactive strategies are tailored to their property’s specific needs and that services are delivered at the right time.

Why Early Planning Is Crucial

Pre-emptive action is about staying ahead of winter’s challenges rather than reacting to them. By planning early, estate managers can avoid the pitfalls of sudden winter weather. Early preparation gives you time to assess your estate, stock up on essential materials like grit, schedule pre-emptive gritting, and be sure that your snow clearance equipment is in optimal condition.

Proactive winter management is key to reducing risk, ensuring safety, and keeping your estate operational. With the right technology, accurate weather forecasts, and a solid plan in place, you can face winter with confidence.

Contact us today for a winter gritting quote.