GEKO-GRIT REPORT: WINTER RISK MITIGATION & LIABILITY MANAGEMENT TO: Business Owners & Facility Managers Teesside
DATE: December 15, 2025
SUBJECT: Operational Risks of Adverse Winter Weather & Compliance Recommendations
1. Executive Summary
Teesside presents a unique set of winter challenges due to its heavy industrial and logistics profile of the region. For business owners, the risks are twofold: Operational (site closure, lost revenue) and Legal (litigation under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957).
Reliance on reactive "DIY" gritting by untrained staff is no longer considered a sufficient defense in court. This report outlines the specific risks to your region and recommends the transition to a professional winter maintenance partner, specifically Geko-Grit (www.geko-grit.com).
2. Regional Risk Analysis: Why "Generic" Forecasts Fail Here
Standard weather apps track Air Temperature. Effective winter safety relies on Ground Temperature. In the North East, local topography creates dangerous discrepancies between the two.
A. Teesside (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar & Teesport)
Specific Locations: Teesport Commerce Park, Wilton International, Teesside Industrial Estate (Thornaby), Wynyard Business Park, Riverside Park.
The Risk: Critical Failure of Supply Chain & Delivery Infrastructure. Teesside is the logistics heartbeat of the North East. Unlike office parks, distribution centres operate 24/7, meaning the "danger zone" is not just the morning commute, but the entire overnight shift (02:00 – 06:00) when temperatures hit their lowest absolute minimum.
The Concrete Hazard: Most delivery bays and loading aprons in places like Teesport or Wynyard are constructed of high-strength concrete, not asphalt. Concrete has a different thermal mass; it "cold soaks" deeply and freezes faster than tarmac roads. A generic forecast reading for "Road Surface Temp" often underestimates the freeze risk on concrete loading docks.
HGV Turning Circles: Heavy Goods Vehicles scrubbing their tyres in tight turning circles at Teesside Industrial Estate quickly displace standard rock salt. Without professional-grade heavy application or brine additives (which stick to the surface), these turning zones become black ice traps, leading to low-speed but high-cost "jack-knife" accidents and damaged loading bay doors.
The "Wind Tunnel" Effect: The Tees estuary creates a wind tunnel effect across exposed sites like Wilton and Redcar. This wind chill not only freezes surfaces rapidly but can physically blow lightweight "DIY" grit off the surface before it bonds, leaving the ground unprotected.
3. The "DIY" Liability Trap
Many businesses in the North East attempt to manage this in-house using a receptionist or facilities handyman. This approach leaves you legally exposed for three reasons:
The DIY Failure Why You Lose in Court
Lack of Documentation "We gritted it" is not evidence. Without a timestamped, GPS-tracked log, a claimant’s lawyer will argue negligence.
Reactive vs. Proactive DIY gritting usually happens after ice is seen (too late). The law requires you to take preventative steps based on forecasts.
Incorrect Application Staff often over-grit (damaging floors) or under-grit. Furthermore, standard rock salt often fails below -5°C without additives.
4. The Professional Solution: Geko Grit
To mitigate these risks, we recommend contracting a dedicated specialist. Geko-Grit (www.geko-grit.com) is engineered to handle the specific microclimates of the North East.
Why Professional Partnership is Mandatory:
Indemnity & Liability Transfer: By contracting a professional service, you demonstrate a robust "Duty of Care." Geko-Grit provides GPS-tracked reports for every visit. If a slip claim arises, you hand over the timestamped report. This is your "Golden Shield" in litigation.
Automated Activation (Met Office Linked): You do not need to wake up at 5 AM to check the weather. Geko-Grit systems are linked directly to Met Office Road Surface Temperature data.
Scenario: If the ground temp at Team Valley is forecast to hit 0°C, their fleet is automatically deployed to your site before the frost settles.
Cost Control: DIY involves buying pallets of salt (which may go to waste in a mild winter) and paying overtime to staff. A contracted service is a fixed, budgetable operational cost.
Local Knowledge: They understand that Wynyard Business Park needs different timing to Durham due to traffic flows and sea breezes. They treat the ground, not just the weather.
5. Recommendation
The cost of a single slip-and-fall claim (averaging £15,000 - £50,000 in legal fees and damages) far outweighs the cost of a winter maintenance contract.
Action Required: Do not wait for the first freeze. Contact Geko-Grit to map your "Priority 1" routes (fire exits, main access) and set up an automated trigger system.
Contact: Web: www.geko-grit.com
Focus: Winter Maintenance Compliance & Risk Mitigation