Why OUTCO’s Professional Snow Clearance Service is so Vital for Commercial Properties

Winter presents unique challenges for commercial property managers. From icy pavements to heavy snowfall, maintaining a safe and accessible environment is essential. Professional snow clearance services, like those offered by OUTCO, ensures your site remains operational and compliant while minimizing risks to safety and liability. Here’s why it’s critical—and how to avoid common mistakes.

The Importance of Professional Snow Clearance

1. Safety First: Preventing Accidents
   Compacted snow produces slippery surfaces can result in slips, trips, and falls that pose serious risks to employees, customers, and visitors. Professional snow clearance helps to prevent such incidents by ensuring all high-traffic areas, including car parks, walkways, and entrances, are cleared effectively.
2. Liability and Compliance
   Neglecting snow clearance can leave businesses exposed to liability claims in the event of accidents. By entrusting this task to experts, you ensure that your duty of care is met and that your premises adhere to health and safety regulations.
3. Operational Continuity
   Heavy snowfall can disrupt operations, making access to the property difficult for employees and customers. A professional service ensures your site remains open and accessible, even during extreme weather conditions, without the risk of lost revenue​.

Common Mistakes in Snow Clearance—and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, DIY snow clearance can lead to costly errors. Here are some frequent mistakes and solutions:

1. Failing to Act Proactively
   • Mistake: Leaving snow on the ground too long before clearing, allowing it to get compacted.  This makes clearance very difficult and gritting less effective.
   • Solution: Use real-time weather data to trigger proactive measures. OUTCO’s technology ensures gritting and snow clearance are activated at the right time, based on precise forecasts​​.
2. Inadequate Equipment or Training
   • Mistake: Using the wrong tools or untrained personnel, which can damage property or lead to incomplete clearance.
   • Solution: Professional services use specialized equipment and rigorously trained operators, like those accredited by LANTRA through OUTCO’s comprehensive training program​​.
3. Ignoring Key Areas
   • Mistake: Overlooking less visible but critical areas such as loading bays, emergency exits, and shaded walkways.
   • Solution: Conduct a comprehensive site survey to identify all vulnerable areas. OUTCO tailors its services to address every unique feature of your property​.
4. Lack of Documentation
   • Mistake: Failing to maintain records of snow clearance, leaving businesses vulnerable to liability claims.
   • Solution: OUTCO’s customer portal provides real-time updates and downloadable service reports with proof of service, ensuring full transparency and compliance​​.

The OUTCO Advantage

Choosing a professional partner like OUTCO means a superior snow clearance service backed by technology, experience, and a customer-first approach.

• Technology-Driven Solutions: OUTCO’s bespoke technology platform NIMBUS triggers site visits with precision, while real-time updates keep you informed of service progress​.
• Comprehensive Coverage: From retail and healthcare to logistics and critical infrastructure, OUTCO tailors services to meet the specific needs of any sector​.
• Sustainability: A commitment to environmentally friendly practices reduces both costs and carbon footprints​.

Conclusion

Professional snow clearance is an investment in safety, compliance, and peace of mind. By partnering with a trusted provider like OUTCO, commercial properties can mitigate winter risks and maintain smooth operations all season long.

Ready to prepare your site for winter? Contact OUTCO’s 24/7 helpdesk at 0800 0432 911 or visit outco.co.uk to learn more about our tailored solutions.