Wintertime risk management can be easy to forget about when the ice thaws and the sun comes out, but a quick refresher on the dangers of winter can help your restaurant avoid an unnecessary claim. 

Cold temperatures and wintery weather can lead to an increase in certain claims that typically involve these areas of your operations:  

  • Guests and Team Members 
  • Restaurant Property  
  • Vehicles 

With the right preparation, you can protect each of these areas.  

Wintertime Risk Management: Protecting Guests and Team Members   

It’s important to keep your restaurant warm and welcoming during the winter months for both Team Members and Guests. Certain accident and injury claims can increase during the winter, but the right steps can minimize your risk:  

  • Create a winter safety plan—Winter’s unique risks are best managed by planning ahead. Review risks your Team Members and Guests are likely to face due to cold, winter weather and shorter days, and plan responses to minimize the impact.  
  • Train Team Members on winter safety—Safety at your restaurant is increased when your Team Members know what to do for their own safety and the safety of Guests. Using your winter safety plan as a guide, train Team Members on how to reduce accidents and injuries. 
  • Prevent slip and fall hazards—Most accident and injury claims during winter relate to slip and fall hazards. Keep parking lots, sidewalks, stairs, ramps and other exterior walkways free of snow and ice. Use signage indoors to warn of wet floor hazards.  
  • Prepare for winter storms—Winter weather and power outages are to be expected in certain parts of the country, making advanced preparation a must. Review contracts with your snow removal partner and provide Team Members with flashlights, shovels, deicer and other needed supplies. 
  • Ensure safe travel for work—Winter car accidents and injuries are more likely when drivers are unprepared. Let Team Members traveling to and from work know about serious weather events and road closures that may affect the safety of their commute.  
  • Minimize Guest and Team Member injury hazards—Guests and Team Members may be at risk from other wintertime hazards, such as falling ice or tree branches, loose floor mats, wet floors, extremely cold temperatures and more. Try to minimize the risk of these hazards as much as possible.  

Wintertime Risk Management: Protecting Restaurant Property 

Wintertime can present unique risks to your business property, including your buildings, company vehicles, furnishings and inventory. The risk of damage occurring can be reduced with the following precautions:  

  • Secure outdoor furnishings—Seasonal outdoor furnishings can be overlooked and forgotten in cold winter months, which can lead to weather damage and theft. Be sure to winterize furnishings, cover to protect from the elements and secure to prevent theft. 
  • Manage seasonal fire risks—Fire risks increase for most businesses in the winter months, so it’s important to be aware of the risks. Make sure holiday decorations and lights are in good working order and won’t interfere with emergency exits.   
  • Minimize potential storm damage—Storms can cause a wide variety of damage, from wind damage to water intrusion, flooding, falling trees, power surges, frozen pipes, boiler breakdowns and more. Examine your top risks and take preventative action to minimize problems.  
  • Take regular inventories—Accurate inventories of product and supplies help ensure you’re ready when the weather gets bad and that coverage will be available if a loss like spoilage from a power outage occurs. 
  • Protect important documents—Access to important restaurant documentation is a must if there is an emergency or you need to file a claim. Make sure important documents stored onsite are kept securely in safes that are fireproof and waterproof. To protect digital files, work with an IT professional to help protect physical and remote access to your computers and POS systems.  

Wintertime Risk Management: Protecting Vehicles 

Restaurants that own or operate vehicles for delivery, catering or other business purposes face added risks in winter, as well. The chances of an accident or property damage can be reduced with these precautions:  

  • Get winter tune-ups—Preparing company vehicles for winter driving conditions before it gets too cold can minimize wear and tear and help prevent unexpected repairs. Have a certified mechanic check belts and hoses, change the oil and fix other maintenance issues.  
  • Encourage driver safety—Drivers can forget how different and dangerous driving in winter can be compared to the summer. Whether Team Members are driving company vehicles or their own vehicle on behalf of your business, check that vehicles are stocked with winter supplies and provide drivers plenty of time to get to and from events. 
  • Check weather forecasts—Winter weather can change dramatically in an hour, leaving unprepared drivers at a disadvantage. Prepare for travel during winter by checking daily forecasts and advising drivers of anticipated freezing temperatures and precipitation.  

 

Restaurants face many risks throughout the year, and proper insurance coverage helps protect you in the event of the unexpected.  

With Property coverage from the Chick-fil-A Optional Operator Insurance Program, administered by Lockton Affinity, you can help protect your restaurant from several winter weather risks like spoilage from power outages, loss caused by third-party business interruptions, physical damage to non-owned automobiles and more.  

Enroll in coverage today or contact one of Lockton Affinity’s client advocates at (888) 403-3845.