Disaster Recovery Journal Winter 2023

E ach season brings new challenges for businesses, and this winter will be no exception. Safety risks for employees and assets can range from structural damage to slippery walk ways, with one of the most challenging being road safety. As winter approaches, it is important that businesses receive education on the different types of road hazards and take proper precautions to mitigate them as effectively as possible. Freezing Rain vs. Sleet Weather forecasts often refer to icy conditions as freezing rain or sleet, but is there a difference between the two? The quick answer is yes. Freezing rain occurs when the horizon tal column of air right above the surface is so thin rain does not have time to freeze. If the air is cool enough, the surface will be below freezing and the supercooled rain drops will freeze when they hit the ground, powerlines, trees, and just about anything else. In sleeting conditions, that column of air right above the surface is thicker, giving the raindrops time to freeze before hitting the surface as icy pellets. Both freezing rain and sleet are incred ibly dangerous for drivers and can create black ice. The shape of the ice pellets in sleet makes it difficult to drive over and decreases the friction between vehicle

tires and the road. Each time the sleet pel lets are driven over, the tires compress the sleet into the road. This compression leads to slight melting and refreezing, leaving black ice in its wake. Understanding the difference between freezing rain and sleet can help in making the safest decisions. If employees should use specialized tires, stay off the road completely, or find alternative routes. Flash Freeze Flash freezing is a new term coined by meteorologists to describe when the ambient temperature drops several degrees over a few hours to sub-freezing temperatures, causing any fallen precipi tation to freeze rapidly. This weather phe nomenon becomes especially important when it impacts roadways and powerlines. Business decisions regarding flash freez ing must be made quickly and confidently given the rapid deterioration of conditions. Now that the weather terms have been clarified, what precautions should a busi ness take? Weather Monitoring The most obvious and necessary pre caution is to monitor the weather for any possible changes or impending hazards. While this sounds like a simple task, it can quickly become complex when you have drivers in multiple cities or states. There are several ways to address weather monitoring among many differ ent areas. The first solution is to make monitoring part of daily tasks assigned

to employees on a regional or local level. This ensures monitoring gets done every day, and the employees tasked are knowl edgeable about the area to determine alter nate routes if necessary. For longer routes which cross multiple regions or states, keeping them in contact with local team members along the way can help guide them throughout their journey. An alterna tive to local or regional help is to assign the monitoring tasks to specific business units. Weather Checklists As the winter season inches closer it is important to check inventory and mainte nance necessary equipment and material. Inspecting all work vehicles to ensure they have proper tires, windshield wipers, and deicing devices is vital to decrease risks on the road. For employees who commute to work in personal vehicles, an email reminder about winter road safety and company policies regarding weather are helpful. Businesses in the northern areas of the U.S are also offering employee bonuses or stipends to help cover these costs as an added benefit. Make the Call Business interruptions are never easy, but when winter weather is involved, it can become a matter of life or death for those on the road. Making a timely deliv ery is not worth risking employee or public safety. Follow guidelines set forth in weather safety plans and ensure driv ers know when to stop and call for further advisement. Winter weather can change quickly and having the knowledge of winter weather terminology, and a set response plan can help lessen the risks of the road. v

Shannon Copeland is an industry man ager for StormGeo and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s School of Meteorology. During her tenure, she sup ported numerous research initiatives

focused on severe weather, emergency management, and disaster preparedness and recovery. As an industry man ager, Copeland supports StormGeo’s outreach strategy and aids in identifying weather-related risks to businesses and their employees.

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