Winter Safety Guide: De-Icing Outdoor Areas

In the UK, winters are cold, wet, and icy. It’s one of the things we’re most known for! 

Damp and frosty conditions are very common, especially early in the morning between 5am to 9am. 

Worst of all, the UK weather is perfect for black ice. This near-invisible ice can be incredibly dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike.  

Get on top of the ice before it causes serious problems. Keep your employees safe outside with proper de-icing.

Here’s our expert guide on doing it safely and effectively.

De-Icing Prep: What You’ll Need

CHOOSING THE BEST DE-ICER 

What surfaces do you need to de-ice? Depending on the material, you’ll have to be careful about the de-icing product you choose:

SALT

Salt de-icers are commonly used on tarmac and asphalt surfaces, such as roads. However, salt can’t be used on metal or concrete. 

It’s also dangerous for the natural environment, so it should be kept well away from lawns and plant beds.

GRANULES

Granule de-icers are safe for concrete surfaces, but make sure they don’t contain salt before applying. This makes them useful on workyard surfaces and outdoor steps.

LIQUID

Liquid de-icers are most suitable for metallic surfaces. Most liquid de-icers contain low or no corrosive substances, meaning they won’t cause rust.

PPE

De-icers should never be applied without the right PPE:

• Safety footwear with slip-resistant soles*
• If using salt or chemical de-icers, you may need hand protection.

* Slip-resistant safety footwear can help reduce the risk of slips. It will not prevent slipping entirely. 

Black ice and compacted ice have a very low slip coefficient. Even the best footwear may struggle. In these conditions, specialist equipment or additional controls may be more suitable.

ICE AND SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT

You need to use ice and snow removal tools to shift the slushy ice away from work and traffic areas. 

Before applying a de-icer, excess snow and debris will need to be removed. This ensures the de-icer can do an effective job, and you’re not using too much of it.

Make sure you have durable street cleansing tools at your disposal.

These include:

• Shovels
• Hoes & scrapers
• Brooms & brushes

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

De-icers can harm plants and water features.

Protect them by:

• Using eco-friendly de-icers
• Covering lawns, trees, and water features with tarpaulin

Tips for De-Icing Outdoor Areas

INSPECT SURFACES FIRST

Never use a de-icer on a broken, split, or cracked surface. 

Chemicals can erode the material and make ice removal harder.

APPLY DE-ICERS EARLY

De-icing is most effective as a preventative measure. 

If you apply de-icing substances to a surface before icy conditions hit, it’ll be a lot harder for ice to form over it. The surface is drier and more abrasive due to your de-icing efforts. 

SPREAD DE-ICERS EVENLY

When using a de-icer, apply it slowly and steadily across the surface you want to clear. 

This will prevent build-ups of the de-icer, which can lead to dangerous run-off in wet conditions, alongside keeping costs down.

STORE DE-ICING SALT IN GRIT BINS

If you’re using salt to de-ice your outdoor surfaces, store it off the ground in specialised grit bins. 

This protects the environment and prevents wildlife from getting to it.

De-Ice with Confidence with SMI

Winter safety is important for every business.

SMI stocks a range of winter products, including:

• De-icing salts
• Salt spreaders
• Grit storage bins
• Ice scrapes & squeegees

Stock up on your winter safety essentials with MY-SMI®.

Want some more information? Speak to our friendly team!

FAQs

What are de-icing products?

They are liquids or granules that make ice easier to remove. They either melt or break down ice, which then makes it easier to scrape or shovel away. 

Commonly used de-icing products include:

• White Salt
• Rock Salt
• Chemical de-icers

You can find de-icing products in our winter safety range.

What PPE is needed in winter?

Alongside regular PPE, cold temperatures usually require workers to wear PPE items like these:

• Thermal gloves
• Cold store clothing
• Thermal workwear
• Thermal head protection accessories, like helmet liners

What hazards are more likely in winter?

Common workplace winter hazards include:

• Slips and falls
• Higher infection rates
• Vehicle skids and collisions
• Hypothermia and temperature exhaustion

However, cold temperatures can affect workplaces in different ways. You’ll need to use a risk assessment to find the cold-related hazards within your business.