Each season brings new challenges for businesses, and this winter will be no exception. Safety risks for employees and assets can range from structural damage to slippery walkways, with one of the most challenging being road safety. As winter approaches, it is important that businesses receive education on the different types of road hazards and take proper precautions to mitigate them as effectively as possible.
Freezing Rain vs. Sleet
Weather forecasts often refer to icy conditions as freezing rain or sleet, but is there a difference between the two? The quick answer is yes.
Freezing rain occurs when the horizontal column of air right above the surface is so thin rain does not have time to freeze. If the air is cool enough, the surface will be below freezing and the supercooled raindrops will freeze when they hit the ground, powerlines, trees, and just about anything else.
In sleeting conditions, that column of air right above the surface is thicker, giving the raindrops time to freeze before hitting the surface as icy pellets.
Both freezing rain and sleet are incredibly dangerous for drivers and can create black ice. The shape of the ice pellets in sleet makes it difficult to drive over and decreases the friction between vehicle tires and the road. Each time the sleet pellets are driven over, the tires compress the sleet into the road. This compression leads to slight melting and refreezing, leaving black ice in its wake.
Understanding the difference between freezing rain and sleet can help in making the safest decisions. If employees should use specialized tires, stay off the road completely, or find alternative routes.
Flash Freeze
Flash freezing is a new term coined by meteorologists to describe when the ambient temperature drops several degrees over a few hours to sub-freezing temperatures, causing any fallen precipitation to freeze rapidly. This weather phenomenon becomes especially important when it impacts roadways and powerlines. Business decisions regarding flash freezing must be made quickly and confidently given the rapid deterioration of conditions.
Now that the weather terms have been clarified, what precautions should a business take?
Weather Monitoring
The most obvious and necessary precaution is to monitor the weather for any possible changes or impending hazards. While this sounds like a simple task, it can quickly become complex when you have drivers in multiple cities or states.
There are several ways to address weather monitoring among many different areas. The first solution is to make monitoring part of daily tasks assigned to employees on a regional or local level. This ensures monitoring gets done every day, and the employees tasked are knowledgeable about the area to determine alternate routes if necessary. For longer routes which cross multiple regions or states, keeping them in contact with local team members along the way can help guide them throughout their journey. An alternative to local or regional help is to assign the monitoring tasks to specific business units.
Weather Checklists
As the winter season inches closer it is important to check inventory and maintenance necessary equipment and material. Inspecting all work vehicles to ensure they have proper tires, windshield wipers, and deicing devices is vital to decrease risks on the road.
For employees who commute to work in personal vehicles, an email reminder about winter road safety and company policies regarding weather are helpful. Businesses in the northern areas of the U.S are also offering employee bonuses or stipends to help cover these costs as an added benefit.
Make the Call
Business interruptions are never easy, but when winter weather is involved, it can become a matter of life or death for those on the road. Making a timely delivery is not worth risking employee or public safety. Follow guidelines set forth in weather safety plans and ensure drivers know when to stop and call for further advisement.
Winter weather can change quickly and having the knowledge of winter weather terminology, and a set response plan can help lessen the risks of the road.
