Residences snow and ice policy

Evelyn Gardens and Pembridge Gardens

Planning and responsibilities

Supplies and clearance

From the 1^st November each year, five day weather and 24 hour forecasts will be observed by the Village Managers. Although forecasts cannot be relied upon for accuracy, this will assist us in planning for necessary clearance when snow or below zero temperatures are forecast.

The Hall Supervisor will take responsibility for ensuring that sufficient essential supplies are held at residences (please see below), and they will undertake a stock check in advance of the onset of each winter, in early October. The Hall Supervisor will notify the Village Manager of any requirements for supplies. Orders for supplies will be placed by the Village Manager with the Soft Services team. Supplies will be replenished as necessary, subject to availability. Please note that orders for supplies may be subject to cancellation without notice due to diversion to Highways Agency regions if the Government intervenes.

Hall Supervisors will be responsible for clearance of snow and ice from all main entrance steps during working hours Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm. Wardens will be assist where possible with clearance of snow and ice during periods of closure, Monday - Friday 6pm - 8am, on weekends and during holidays.

Contingency arrangements

In extreme weather conditions it may not be possible to undertake clearance of snow and ice from all areas detailed in this policy as staff may be unable to get to work. If snowfall occurs during periods when designated staff are unavailable for clearance (i.e. Monday - Friday 6pm - 8am, on weekends and during holidays), Wardens and Security will assist with clearance of priority areas where possible.

Additional detail for specific residences:

Evelyn Gardens- The Spie Matthew Hall on-call employee will assist with clearance of snow and ice from all main entrance steps.

Pembridge Gardens- Clearance of snow and ice will be carried out in the following areas:

• Main entrance steps
• Path to the waste collection point in front of 32
• Path to bike entrance
• Back stairway

Areas to be cleared

Areas to be cleared will be prioritised and scheduled according to the number of designated staff available to carry out the task and will include main entrances and steps leading into all residences, ensuring sufficient cleared area to accommodate wheelchairs. Public rights of way will not be cleared (see comments under ‘Liability’ above). Clearance of priority areas will take precedence over most other activity planned for those days when snow or ice is on the ground.

Training in the correct procedures to do this safely will be given following consultation with the Health and Safety Manager.

Equipment and supplies

Evelyn Gardens:

• House 28, ground floor store room
• House 44, Hall Office Post Room
• House 63, Ground Floor emergency cupboard

All of these locations above are equipped with:

• 2 buckets of snow melt
• A snow shovel
• Snow gloves
• Snow melt bucket and scoop

Additionally:

• 10 x Bags of rock salt to be kept in SMH store
• 2 x Snow shovels
• Appropriate protective clothing for staff

Pembridge Gardens will be equipped with:

• 2 x Grit bins
• 1 x Pallet of rock salt
• 6 x Ice melt tubs with scoops
• 3 x Snow shovels
• Appropriate protective clothing for staff

Method of clearance

Clearing and gritting

• Remove snow using shovel. Brooms will not be used as they cause surfaces to become slippery and neither will hot water be applied as it can refreeze and increase the hazard.
• Apply rock salt, or equivalent using the salt spreader, to melt any remaining traces of ice. This should be applied sparingly near to entrances as it can be corrosive to the fabric of buildings.
• If further snow falls, then pathways will be re-cleared and re-salted.

Student, staff and visitor responsibilities

Staff, students and visitors also have a responsibility to be careful themselves, for example by wearing appropriate footwear, taking care when walking in wintry conditions, keeping to cleared pathways and avoiding areas which have been indicated as particularly hazardous.