Winter Gritting Guide for Yorkshire Businesses

Introduction: Winter Gritting Guide for Yorkshire Businesses

Winter in Yorkshire brings unpredictable weather, from overnight frosts to heavy snow. For businesses, this means increased risks of slips, trips and accidents on car parks, access roads and footpaths. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that more than 40% of workplace accidents in winter happen due to slips on ice.

This winter gritting guide helps Yorkshire businesses know when and where to grit. It also explains how to follow health and safety rules while keeping sites safe and accessible.

Road Surface Temperature vs Air Temperature

Many people assume that air temperature is the key indicator for when gritting is required. In reality, it’s the road surface temperature that matters most.

Surfaces can drop below freezing even when the air feels mild, creating invisible ice hazards. That’s why Bawcro uses dedicated road surface forecasts, rather than relying on standard weather apps. This ensures we grit at the right time, avoiding wasted treatments and keeping your site safe. Learn more about Road Surface Temperature here.

Legal Responsibilities for Businesses

Under UK Health and Safety laws, businesses and property managers must ensure safe access for staff, visitors, and tenants. Failing to manage icy conditions can result in:

Accidents and injuries
Liability claims
Reputational damage

By working with a trusted local gritting contractor, you demonstrate compliance and protect your business from unnecessary risks.

When Should You Grit?

Overnight and early morning – prevent ice before staff and customers arrive.
Before frost is due – proactive treatment keeps surfaces safe.
During snowfall – combine snow clearance with salt spreading to keep access routes open.
Throughout winter – consistent monitoring ensures sites remain safe day and night.

Where Should You Grit?

Here’s a quick checklist every business should follow from our winter gritting guide:

Car parks and staff parking areas
Delivery yards and loading bays
Access roads and driveways
Pedestrian walkways and entrances
Private estates, schools and retail parks

Costs and Contracts

Gritting costs depend on the size of your site, the number of visits required and whether you choose a one-off treatment or a full seasonal contract. At Bawcro, we offer:

Pay-as-you-go gritting for occasional needs
Fixed winter contracts for complete peace of mind
Emergency call-outs during unexpected snow or freezing conditions

Choosing a Local Gritting Contractor

When selecting a provider, consider:

24/7 availability for overnight and early morning cover
Insurance and accreditations to protect your business
Use of road surface temperature data for accurate timing
Modern, calibrated equipment for consistent results
Local knowledge of Yorkshire’s climate and road networks

Bawcro ticks all of these boxes, making us a trusted choice for businesses across the region.

Case Study: Leeds Business Park Winter Cover

Last winter, Bawcro supported a business park in Leeds with a seasonal gritting contract. By watching road surface forecasts, our team treated the roads overnight. This helped avoid many site closures on freezing mornings. The client saved both time and money by avoiding reactive call-outs and maintained full safety compliance.

Our Approach at Bawcro

We provide proactive gritting services across Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Halifax, Wakefield and throughout Yorkshire. Using live surface data and dedicated forecasts, we deploy our teams only when necessary – saving clients time and money. We provide 24/7 cover with modern vehicles and a skilled team. This keeps your site safe, accessible, and compliant all winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide overnight gritting?
Yes – our teams work overnight and early morning to keep your site safe before the working day begins.

Can I book a one-off gritting job?
Absolutely, we provide both pay as you go services and full seasonal contracts.

Do you also clear snow?
Yes, our fleet handles snow clearance for car parks, access roads and pathways, ensuring safe access during heavy snowfall.

Which areas do you cover?
We operate across Yorkshire and the North West, including Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Halifax and Wakefield.

Get Winter Ready with Bawcro

Don’t leave safety to chance this winter. Use this winter gritting guide as a reference. Contact Bawcro for a custom winter maintenance plan. This plan will help keep your business open and compliant.

Call us today on 0113 403 5113 to request a free quote.