As winter weather is approaching, business owners are beginning to think about all the challenges it brings. Many businesses, such as offices and stores, are planning on ways to keep their customers from slipping and getting hurt. However, hospitals have to think beyond that. They need to make sure their parking lots, sidewalks, and entryways are accessible to not only visitors but patients who have just had surgery, who may have mobility problems, and who may be especially weak.
Having a winter checklist is vital for every healthcare and medical facility to ensure their property is safe. By using a checklist, commercial property owners can be less stressed knowing that all necessary actions have been taken to protect visitors, patients, and employees. The following are suggestions that will help keep your facility running responsibly each day.
Service the HVAC System and Generators
Make sure your heating system and generator have been checked and are working. The last thing you want is for either one to quit working during a snowstorm. This could put your facility at major risk, especially if you have overnight patients or people having surgery.
It doesn’t take much for a winter storm to knock out power or cause harsh cold conditions. Be sure to have your HVAC systems inspected regularly during the year and your generators looked at often to ensure they will turn on in case of a power outage.
Always Make Patient Drop-Off/Pick-Up Areas & Entryways Accessible
When we say always, we mean it! If you do not manage your snow removal properly, you are putting the safety of your patients who are entering or leaving your facility at risk.
There are a multitude of risks outside your entryways that cannot be ignored. These include piled up snow, icy surfaces, black ice, and wind-blown snow. These areas must have round the clock maintenance.
Secure Parking Lots Accessibility
Most patients don’t walk to your medical facility, especially during the winter. Instead, they drive which makes it extremely important for you to keep your parking lots safe and secure. The cold temperatures and unfavorable weather conditions along with the short days and low light in the evening means you must be even more attentive about taking care of problem areas.
There are many ways to make sure your parking lots are accessible, including salting and deicing to remove ice and applying sand to create friction.
Hire a Trustworthy Snow Removal Company
It is extremely important that your patients stay safe during the winter. In fact, it’s the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that entryways are accessible and safe to use throughout the year, making sure that individuals with mobility issues have access to your facility.
This means you need to have 24-hour maintenance of your property which can be hard to do without professional help. Not only will professional help provide you with some relief, but it will also help you stay within legal guidelines and keep your patients safe.
Here at Bluegrass Landscape & Snow Management, we assist medical facilities around the St. Louis area. We provide property owners with easy communication and affordable snow removal services that allows them to keep their facilities operating through the winter. Call us today at (314) 770-2828 to learn more about our snow removal services.
