Winter weather increases the risk of employee injuries, burst pipes, collapsed roofs, and vehicle damage. Extreme cold and more snow is moving into Colorado this weekend. The Governor has issued a verbal disaster declaration.

At CIRSA, we often see extensive freeze-related damage to member buildings that are either vacant or only have intermittent occupancy. So, make sure to:

• Protect the water supply going into the building. Shut off water to fixtures not in use, if feasible (of course, do not shut off the supply to fire protection).
• Maintain an adequate level of heating in the building.
• Check the building regularly so that you can discover any water leaks promptly.
• If there’s snow, check for and deal with excessive snow buildup and ice dams on the roof.

Also check out these easy-to-share CIRSA-developed resources that will help you and your staff mitigate risk:

• Snow Shoveling
• Cold Weather Exposure
• Survive Winter Driving
• Winter Vehicle Safety Kits
• Preparing Your Buildings for Winter Weather
• Tips for Addressing Snowplow Driver Fatigue

If you are subject to a workers’ compensation or property/casualty claim, CIRSA’s Claim Department is available 24/7/365. If you have an event that occurs within or outside normal business hours, please contact us immediately for assistance. Call (303) 757-5475 or (800) 228-7136; if it’s after normal business hours, an answering service will immediately forward your call to a Claims representative.