Public warned not to clear paths of ice and snow

Businesses and homeowners have been warned not to clear pavements of snow and ice because they will become liable if anyone injures themselves slipping - 10th January 2010

The "big freeze" has seen heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures along with a shortage of grit leave pavements throughout the UK dangerously slippery.

Hospitals have been inundated with people suffering broken bones and fractures in slips and falling accidents.

Yet despite this, health and safety groups are warning people not to clear pavements because under current legislation, if they do and someone slips and injures themselves in a fall on the area they have cleared they could face the injured party making a slipping on ice compensation claim against them.

Individuals and businesses can not be sued if they leave pavements outside their business untouched and in a treacherous condition. However businesses have a responsibility to prevent situations where their employees are injured in slipping accidents, or visitors are injured in slipping accidents while on their premises or while accessing them.

Local councils have a requirement to clear public highways but are under no legal obligation to clear pavements. If major routes are left untreated and there are road accidents local authorities may be liable to compensation claims against them.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) have issued guidance to businesses that; when clearing snow and ice, it is probably worth stopping at the boundaries of the property under your control. Clearing a public path can lead to an action for damages against the company, e.g. if members of the public, assuming that the area is still clear of ice and thus safe to walk on, slip and injure themselves.

The government is trying to address the national shortage of grit situation by importing extra supplies from the USA and Europe, but this is expected to take around two weeks to be delivered and by diverting around 12,000 tonnes from being exported to areas around the UK.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for Wales, Yorkshire and Humber, the East Midlands and north-east England with predictions that many other areas of England are likely to see snow falls of up to 20cm today.

If you have suffered injury in a fall - we can help you make a NO WIN NO FEE claim.

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