Key Document
Over the winter, between November and March inclusive, the Grounds Section operates a snow clearing and gritting service on University grounds. The operation consists of an early planned-attendance system whereby weather forecasts are checked on a daily basis and a decision is made the previous day as to whether staff need to be at work early to clear and treat roads and paths. The system utilises the Met Office Open Road forecast which is emailed to the Grounds Maintenance Manager and his assistants by 11.00am each day. This is considered to be the most accurate forecast information available. Grounds staff are organised on a rota basis and attend at 6.00am on days when snow clearing or gritting is required. Over the past couple of years the section has taken several additional measures to improve the service it offers:
- Adopted the Open Road weather forecast from the Met Office.
- Engaged outside contractors to treat roads and car parks.
- Increased rock salt storage capacity on campus.
- Invested in more snow clearing and gritting equipment.
- Increased staff and frequency of gritting rota.
Tips for safe travel around campus
Choose your route around campus to take advantage of a combination of covered walkways and salt treated paths. It would not be possible for the team to ensure that every path to every door is treated, we do try to keep access to all areas open if possible, however it might result in a slightly longer walk than normal.
Wear the right footwear, this is key in winter conditions and can make all the difference if you are faced with a particularly icy patch of road. Choose shoes that are made of rubber and neoprene composite over plastic and leather soles as they will provide better traction. Avoid shoes with heels too as you are more likely to slip. You can always change into them when you have reached your destination.
Untreated pavements and roads will be extremely slippery so move slowly when getting in and out of cars and up and down stairs. Use handrails for support and try to remove any snow or water from shoes when entering buildings.
Don’t text while walking, this is an obvious one but you would be surprised by how many people do this (at any time of year). If your eyes are on your phone, you might miss an extremely icy patch and slip and fall. It also helps to keep your hands out of your pockets, so if you do slip, there will be more chance at you saving yourself.
Minimise what you carry, walking on ice is all about balance, so holding lots of bags will change your centre of gravity and will affect the way you walk. If your hands are filled with bags, they’re not free to help you if you do slip and fall.
Lastly plan ahead and give yourself enough time, snow and ice makes everyone more cautious and therefore slower so give yourself extra time when setting off.
There may also be more people on the streets due to disruptions to public transport.
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