A cold weather plan is pertinent to domiciliary care operations to protect your staff. Cold, dark and freezing weather conditions often bring about an increase in incidents requiring our intervention, many of which could have been be avoided with some simple preventative actions.
1. Issue your care staff with appropriate footwear and correct PPE.
- Extra consideration should be taken for employees tackling potentially icy pavements and hazardous areas. Footwear can have a variety of sole patterns and materials to help prevent slips in different conditions or appropriate shoe coverings may be provided. It is important that the appropriate footwear is selected for the risks identified.
- Ensure that your employees are well trained and aware of why the PPE is required. It should be worn at all times and regular checks made to ensure this is being done.
- Staff should know how to report faults or defects with the PPE and it should be monitored regularly.
2. Vehicle maintenance tips for winter months.
- Ensure your vehicle has been recently serviced, in particular ensuring that the battery has been checked (as cold weather can hinder battery performance, and increased use of heating which can further deplete the battery) and the engine oil checked and replaced if necessary.
- Keep windscreen wipers switched off rather than on automatic mode.
- Ensure windscreen fluid is topped up to ensure your windscreen is as clean as possible and not restricted with dirt and grit that are more common in winter. Did you know it is a legal offence to drive without windscreen fluid, with on the spot fines starting at £100.
- Test vehicle lights – head lights, brake lights and fog lights.
A winter driving policy is advisable which also prepares vehicles before journeys and stocking vehicles with any additional safety equipment needed.
3. Safe driving tips for your caregivers.
- Plan the route ahead and aim to stay on main roads.
- Ensure there is enough fuel in the tank at the start of the journey.
- Clear the windscreen, mirrors and windows of snow and ice before driving including the vehicle roof – but watch below!
- Watch out for thieves – often on cold winter mornings they will be on the lookout for unattended vehicles (left idle whilst windscreen is defrosting). This type of crime is known as frosting or frost-jacking.
- Ultimately ensure your drivers are well equipped to handle such conditions, this is particularly relevant for minibuses and larger vehicles. Have your drivers received induction training and regular assessment?
- Leave lots of distance between you and the vehicle in front.
4. Anticipate hazardous road conditions.
- Special winter tyres may be required for your vehicles and question whether journeys are essential during adverse weather. If journeys must be made, give staff extra time to reach appointments so they are not rushing.
- Do all your staff know what to do if they breakdown? Are they equipped with emergency contact numbers?
Quality Care Group provides a range of solutions for managing fleet risk in care operations. For more information click here or email riskcontrol@qcaregroup.co.uk
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