According to the CDC, over 800,000 people visit the hospital due to a slip and fall injury each year. Maryland and Virginia’s winters compound this risk for residents throughout their daily lives. Business owners must accept liability when a slip and fall injury happens on commercial property.
Commercial property and facility managers are responsible for keeping their pavements safe and ice-free during winter. Pavement deicing is essential to ensure that customers and employees can access your premises without slipping or falling on icy surfaces.
But how should you go about deicing your pavement this winter? This blog post will discuss the different methods for safely deicing your pavement this winter.
Keep reading to learn more about the safest, most reliable ways to keep your pavement ice-free.
Why Pavement Deicing is Necessary
Snow and ice are injuries waiting to happen. You do not want to become responsible for hurting another person. But personal safety goes beyond empathy as it also impacts your business.
For example, injured workers can not work, and injured customers stay home. Plus, if a customer slips and falls on your commercial property, you may lose their business for good.
Finally, as a Virginian commercial business, you are subject to premises liability laws. Neglecting to take pavement deicing measures in the winter opens you up to a lawsuit. So, pavement deicing is more than the safe thing to do– it is the legal thing to do.
Rock Salt or Ice Melt
Rock salt and ice melt are effective pavement maintenance methods among facility managers. Rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, is a standard solution for melting ice on the pavement.
Rock salt is available in larger chunks and is cheaper than other deicing solutions. But it can damage pavement if not used properly.
On the other hand, ice melt is a blend of either calcium chloride or magnesium chloride mixed with sodium chloride in pellet form. It is a more expensive solution but will melt ice faster than rock salt and does not cause pavement damage.
Ice melt is often the preferred option for deicing pavement after a winter storm. It works faster at melting ice and snow, making it easier for property managers to clear parking lots or walkways.
Abrasive Ice Covering
Abrasive coverings are much more cost-effective than rock salt yet still provide the necessary traction to prevent accidents from occurring. An alternative to salt and rock salt is to use an abrasive covering, such as:
- Kitty litter
- Sand
- Wood shavings
- Sawdust
These materials help melt the ice while providing a non-slip surface for employees and customers walking on the pavement. After winter storms or when clearing snow, these materials are ideal for preventing slips and fall injuries. They also have a lower environmental impact than chemical deicing options.
Paving and Concrete Companies in Virginia
The best way to take care of your employees and customers this winter is to give them safe walkways. Pavement deicing is an essential step in this process. But safe walkways begin with well-maintained pavement.
NVM paving is the premiere paving and concrete company in Virginia, from new paving to maintenance service. Our pavement experts can give you the advice you need to keep your walkways safe this winter. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
