Firms need to start thinking now about how to safeguard against hazards winter weather can throw up, the Forum of Private Business has advised.

Harsher weather brings with it a series of potential health and safety challenges for employers – including slips and trips and problems with staff getting into work.

Forecasters are predicting an end to current conditions – largely unseasonably mild – towards the end of the month.

With Met Office data showing December 2010 was the coldest December in the UK since 1910 and the winter before was the coldest since 1978 it is crucial that firms starting thinking about the sort of safeguards they will put in place for winter.

The FPB said small to medium-sized businesses can be especially vulnerable to the impact of freak weather and should start planning ahead by checking their premises are winter-proof, insurance is up to date, and contingency plans are well-thought-out in case staff can't get in to work.

"Disruptive snowfall hampers deliveries, triggers heating and power failures, and can sometimes mean employees can't get to work," said the Forum's head of campaigns, Jane Bennett.

"It's essential small businesses do all they can themselves to mitigate the impact, and being proactive now will mean not having to rush out a last minute reactive plan on the eve of bad weather, which may not be all that effective."

According to YouGov's Omnibus SME survey, 13 per cent of small businesses said they were 'seriously' impacted by last winter's bad weather, and 37 per cent said they experienced weather-related problems of some sort.

Article courtesy of Aviva PLC. Published 08-11-2011