The Association of Convenience Stores has urged retailers to follow the Department for Transport’s Snow Code, as the ‘Beast from the East’ blows in with heavy snowfalls in many parts of the UK this week.
Retailers should follow the code when moving snow and ice outside their stores to ensure customers and staff are not injured.
The trade group pointed out that health and safety law required businesses, where reasonably practicable, to keep routes into their stores free from anything that could cause people to slip, trip or fall.
This might require clearing snow from paths, which are frequently used to gain access to the store.
However, there was no need to clear an entire area of snow if customers or employees were unlikely to walk on it.
It added there was nothing to stop retailers from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside their store, from pathways to the store or from public spaces, as long as they followed the Snow Code.
The code warns retailers not to use water to try to melt snow because it could refreeze and turn into black ice, and it urges care in not blocking people’s paths or drains.
The Snow Code recommends using salt if possible because it will melt the ice or snow and stop it refreezing overnight - but not salt from salting bins because this is used to keep roads clear.
Ash and sand can also be used if not enough salt is available. This will provide grip under foot.
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