Snow and ice: be prepared
Denise Brosnan provides a timely reminder for local authorities of their obligations both as employers and as highway authorities and some practical tips on defending claims arising out of icy conditions.
Employer
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 deal specifically with means of access to and egress from places of work. Reg 12(3) states,
…so far as is reasonably practicable, every floor in a workplace and the surface of every traffic route in a workplace shall be kept free from obstructions and from any article or substance which may cause a person to slip, trip or fall.”
In cases of snow and ice, we are normally looking at transient problems. Whether the local authority is the owner of buildings or the sole occupier of buildings owned by someone else, if the authority employs the people working within those buildings, then the usual obligations arise under the statutory regulations above. They are required to take steps to comply with the legislation by implementing a system for dealing with snow and ice and ensure that they can demonstrate that these systems are followed by reference to relevant documents detailing their approach to assessing and managing the risks to their employees.
Defending claims
These cases are capable of being defended provided public bodies can show in documented format that they have taken reasonably practicable steps to:
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Reduce the risk of slips on ice, frost or snow, by assessing the risk and putting in a system to manage it.
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Identify the outdoor areas used by pedestrians most likely to be affected by ice, for example, building entrances, car parks, pedestrian walkways, shortcuts, sloped areas and areas constantly in the shade or wet.
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Monitor the temperature, as prevention is key.
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Display signs with warning messages. If warning cones are used, remember to remove them once the hazard has passed or they will eventually be ignored.
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Have procedures in place to prevent an icy surface forming and/or keep pedestrians off the slippery surface.
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Use grit or similar, on areas prone to be slippery in frosty, icy conditions.
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Divert pedestrians to less slippery walkways and barrier off existing ones.
Fraudulent claims
This is an ideal time for the fraudster to look for an opportunity to make a claim. Consider the following:
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Date of the accident and cross-reference with weather records.
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A & E/G.P records of injury – are they consistent?
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Photographs – if digital, check the metadata from the original photograph – this is not always accurate but can be a good way of checking to see that there is some consistency between the date of the accident and the photographs taken at the time.
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If the accident occurred in a public area and/or workplace, check that the site/premises were open on the date and at the time alleged.
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Consider claimant profiling and validation (see DWF’s Sonar product).
Courts are alive to the reality that local authority resources are finite and have to be managed shrewdly. If there is a shortage of grit/salt and resources then this may be a defence but be wary of blanket policies confirming that a local authority will not grit or salt due to budgetary reasons. Provided documents can be produced in the categories referred to above, the prospects of successfully defending claims when they come to light increase immeasurably.
See also:
Find out more about Sonar, DWF's claimant profiling and validation product >
Contact
For further information please contact Denise Brosnan on DD +44 121 200 0415 or at denise.brosnan@dwf.co.uk
This information is intended as a general discussion surrounding the topics covered and is for guidance purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. DWF is not responsible for any activity undertaken based on this information.