Managers Responsibilities and Arrangements

During adverse weather conditions, the responsibility for organising the clearance of snow and ice and the spreading of rock salt and occasionally grit will normally rest with establishment managers e.g. Unit Co- ordinators of Social Care establishments, Managers of Youth Centres, Libraries or Headteachers of Schools.

In the case of the County Hall Complex and Area Offices this responsibility rests with Facilities but may be delegated to other persons. Where this is delegated, whoever is to be responsible should be notified, in writing. 

Where a site is used by a number of different Service areas it is important that the Service areas meet to establish who will take responsibility. Arrangements put in place for ensuring that ice and snow is cleared or salted/gritted, must be clearly laid down. Note that there may be different users at different times of day/night, therefore reflect this.

All site users must be aware of the procedures. These arrangements could be drawn up alongside other emergency arrangements such as emergency evacuation procedures.

The establishment manager or other responsible person should determine how resources are best used, particularly the priority areas for snow and ice clearance and the application of salt/grit.  Details should be drawn to the attention of all persons using the premises so they are aware of the safest ways of entering and leaving the premises.

Please Note: Temporary signs denoting safe routes may be necessary.

Establishment Manager /Centre Manager / Site Manager / Head teachers/ Management Team Are responsible for:

1. Ensuring (before 1^st October) that all sites under their control are fully equipped with appropriate snow clearing and protective equipment, and adequate stocks of rock salt and sand/grit etc are procured through the council’s central procurement. Consideration should be given to procuring alternative de-icing materials during periods of extreme weather when rock salt may be unavailable for non-highway use.
2. Drawing up instructions/ a plan for premises winter clearance and salting/gritting i.e. priority areas, and secondary areas.
3. Identifying and nominating appropriate staff to carry out snow and ice clearance, bearing in mind their fitness and the physical nature of the task and the significant need for moving and handling of salt, snow, tools, wheelbarrow, other equipment, etc.
4. Re-arranging staff rosters to ensure snow and ice clearance is continued if those usually responsible for the task are absent from work.
5. Carrying out a formal snow clearance/salting/gritting risk assessment in advance of bad weather. This risk assessment must include reference to manual handling issues, personal protective equipment for staff and how the premises will communicate with staff, clients, visitors etc. the appropriate access routes to use during bad weather.
6. Regularly reviewing the premises winter clearance policy and salting/gritting plan to ensure its adequacy.