Essential proactive steps for business continuity and safety during bad weather
With winter weather in the UK switching from sunshine to snowstorms in a matter of days, businesses and their leadership teams are being reminded to prepare for extreme conditions to safeguard their people, assets, and operations.
All members within an organisation can play a role in these preparations, and it is often the role of HR professionals, office managers and PAs to push these initiatives forward alongside management, health and safety officers and building managers.
In a new Winter Weather Guide for Businesses, GTSE, a leading supplier of industrial and safety products, shares practical steps to help UK businesses reduce risks, minimise financial impact, and avoid operational disruptions caused by harsh winter conditions.
The Financial and Safety Risks of Unpreparedness
Severe weather can inflict serious damage on buildings, equipment, and goods, both on-site and in transit. From storm-related structural failures to icy car parks that jeopardise employee safety, the cost of doing nothing can be significant. Additionally, unexpected closures due to poor weather can damage a company’s reputation and lead to lost productivity.
Tom Armenante, director at GTSE highlights that preparation is key for protecting businesses during a storm but, it’s not just about the physical space and equipment. Businesses and their teams have a duty to look after their people, whether that’s staff, customers or other stakeholders, with human life being the number one priority.
He added that simple steps like inspecting roofs, gritting pathways, and securing outdoor signage can save businesses thousands in repair costs, prevent workplace accidents and allow for business continuity. As we see more unpredictable weather globally due to climate change, the UK is likely to see greater extremes too. According to the Met Office, the UK saw temperatures in the Scottish highlands reach -18.9o, making it the coldest night in January for 15 years. Plus, there’s been two serious storms across the UK in the last week alone in 2025 and more bad weather is predicted in the coming days and weeks.
The role of office managers and hr professionals
Whilst business leaders, premises managers and risk professionals will mostly have the final say on what happens during periods of bad weather, some common tasks fall to people and office-oriented staff such as office managers, internal comms professionals, assistants and human resource departments. Office managers may take responsibility for accident log books and recording hazards reported by customers and staff and feed this information to the relevant experts within the business. They may also be required to help arrange any repairs and maintenance.
Other responsibilities could range from notifying and communicating any operational changes with the wider staff, clients and stakeholders to implementing training and setting up internal processes. For example, should a business wish to implement work from home practices, this information needs to be communicated to the wider business and the relevant systems put in place to allow for this – considering access to equipment and online systems needed to do the job from home.
Should any staff be impacted by bad weather personally or in a work setting, HR professionals in particular may need to be called upon. For example, a team member may need time off to deal with emergencies such as burst pipes in the home during cold snaps. Another challenge may be that staff have difficulty driving to the office in icy and snowy conditions. This could be both physically and mentally dangerous, as stress and anxiety may also come with these types of scenarios.
15 ways to prepare your businessEs and teamS for Winter weather extremes
The comprehensive guide outlines a wide range of proactive measures businesses can take to reduce winter weather risks, with some of the most effective being listed below.
- Monitor weather forecasts – Staying informed about local and national conditions provides valuable time to prepare for storms.
- Prioritise safety – Don’t hesitate to close if severe weather threatens lives. Productivity isn’t worth risking human safety.
- Provide resources – Ensure that your teams have protective clothing, warm clothing for outdoor work, and supplies like rock salt and wet floor signage as needed.
- Service equipment regularly – Preventive maintenance is cheaper than repairs. Check building systems, vehicles, and critical equipment regularly and not just in response to a poor weather forecast.
- Prepare for power outages – It is often sensible to turn off water, gas, and electricity where feasible. Backup generators may be necessary for some businesses to ensure continuity and safety, so weigh up the pros and cons of doing this.
- Plan for service delays – Anticipate disruptions to waste collection, deliveries, and logistics, and establish contingency plans to reduce risk whilst keeping things moving as much as possible.
- Consider offsite risks – It isn’t just your premises that are at risk. Poor driving conditions can endanger your team’s commute and any workers who are offsite for business purposes. Evaluate the weather and conditions, allowing flexible or remote working where possible.
- Conduct training and risk assessments – Empower all employees to report hazards, like leaks or icy parking lots. Having a clear process for this which is easy to follow, will encourage engagement, making safety a team issue.
- Review insurance policies – Comprehensive insurance coverage is a must for any business. Ensure you have the appropriate coverage for buildings, contents, and stock to provide a financial safety net. Should you need to claim, photograph any damage to be used as evidence if required by your coverage provider.
In addition, to prepare for periods of heavy rainfall businesses should…
- Inspect building exteriors – Cracked roof tiles, damaged brickwork, and loose pointing all allow water to penetrate a building. Checking and fixing these vulnerabilities will help to prevent leaks and a build up of mould.
- Seal windows and doors – Refresh the sealant around these fittings to keep water out. Remember to keep windows and doors closed during any storms too, forgetting to close a window fully could be a costly mistake.
- Clean gutters and drains – Blockages in gutters and drains can cause overflows that lead to water damage. Clear any debris regularly and look for signs of potential problems. For more complex issues, you might want to hire in the professionals to guide you on the best solution.
- Use sandbags and water pumps – Protect flood-prone areas with sandbags and pumps, diverting excess water away from your property and valuable equipment. You could also consider the building’s structure itself, installing things like airbricks.
- Relocate valuables – Move any critical equipment and documents to higher ground where possible. If you can’t move everything, you could consider elevating items on bricks or tables.
- Prevent slips – Keeping walkways mopped and dried where possible, adding mats with additional grip and placing wet floor signs out can all help reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Final note
By adopting these practical measures, businesses can avoid winter weather risks, protecting their employees and assets, and maintain smooth operations throughout the season. For a full winter preparation checklist, visit GTSE’s comprehensive guide.
Author: Tom Armenante – eCommerce Director, GTSE.
Photo credit: Getty images
