Winter Safety & Readiness: How to Protect Your Facility and Your People This Season

Winter brings a unique set of challenges for facilities—from slippery walkways to increased illness transmission and cold-related safety risks. A proactive plan not only protects your building but also protects the people who work in and visit it every day.

FBG Facility Services supports facilities and teams throughout the winter months with comprehensive cleaning, maintenance and safety practices. Here are key tips to help you stay safe, ready and resilient all season long.

1. Strengthen Snow & Ice Response

Ice and snow create some of the most serious safety hazards:

• Clear walkways and entrances regularly to reduce slips and falls.
• Stock quality ice melt and choose formulas safe for your flooring and exterior surfaces.
• Review snow removal plans to ensure your team is prepared for storms and ongoing freeze/thaw cycles.

FBG can help you secure a trusted service provider for snow removal to keep your property safe and accessible.

2. Upgrade Your Floor Protection

Foot traffic quickly brings moisture and salt indoors, increasing slip risks and accelerating floor wear.

• Add additional matting at entry points.
• Replace mats frequently. Clean, dry mats work best.
• Use specialty options like New Pig Grippy Floor Mats in high-risk areas for extra traction and moisture absorption.

A well-planned matting program from FBG is one of your strongest defenses against winter accidents.

Read More: Winter Floor Maintenance: Best Practices from Our Floor Expert, Tom Vacek

3. Follow a Winter Floor Care Routine

• Snow and ice melt residue can create slippery surfaces and damage flooring if not controlled.
• Increase cleaning frequency and incorporate salt neutralizers to remove buildup.
• For carpeted areas, use extraction rinses to eliminate residue and prevent matting or discoloration.

Read More: Mops or Auto Scrubbers: Evaluating Your Floor Cleaning Options

4. Protect Indoor Air Quality

Winter often means sealed buildings, dry air and more airborne irritants.

• Replace HVAC filters regularly.
• Clean vents and ducts.
• Add humidification to maintain comfortable indoor air levels.
• Consider air purifiers in high-traffic areas.

Good air quality supports both health and productivity.

5. Increase Disinfecting During Peak Illness Season

Cold, flu and COVID-19 activity increase dramatically in winter. Maintain a consistent infection prevention strategy:

• Disinfect high-touch surfaces more frequently.
• Keep sanitizer, wipes and tissues available.
• Consider an Electrostatic Disinfection System (EDS) service for deeper coverage.

A clean facility is a healthier facility.

Read More: Infection Prevention and Control: FBG’s Commitment to Health and Safety

6. Replenish Critical Supplies

Before the next storm hits, restock:

• Ice melt
• Disinfectants and paper products
• PPE
• Floor mats and neutralizers
• First-aid and safety supplies

Running low during peak winter conditions can create unnecessary risks.

A Safer Winter Starts With a Strong Plan

Winter safety doesn’t just happen, it’s created through preparation, consistency and the right support. With proper planning and the help of FBG Facility Services, your facility can stay clean, safe and operational throughout the coldest months of the year.