When the first frost arrives, things get serious for business owners: the duty to ensure safe access requires that pavements, car parks and entrances are cleared of snow and ice. Anyone who neglects this duty is liable in the event of accidents. We explain what you need to watch out for.
Your obligations as a business owner
The duty to ensure safe access derives from the German Civil Code (§ 823 BGB) and municipal bylaws. Stricter standards apply to business owners than to private individuals:
- Clearing duty: Pavements and access routes must be cleared of snow and ice
- Gritting duty: When icy, suitable gritting material must be applied
- Timeframe: Generally weekdays 7am–8pm, Sundays and public holidays 8am–8pm (varies by municipality)
- Repetition: During persistent snowfall, clearing must be repeated multiple times
Special requirements for commercial properties
Higher standards apply in commercial areas:
- Customer car parks: Must be safely drivable and walkable
- Loading bays and access roads: Special care with HGV traffic
- Escape routes: Must be free and safely accessible at all times
- Disabled parking spaces: Clear preferentially, keep wider area free
Documentation is mandatory
In the event of damage, you must prove that you fulfilled your clearing and gritting duties. Complete documentation is therefore essential:
- Date and time of each clearing and gritting operation
- Weather conditions (temperature, snowfall, black ice)
- Type and quantity of gritting material used
- Area covered (which surfaces were cleared)
- Responsible person (name of the person clearing)
As a professional winter service provider, we maintain this documentation for you – digitally and audit-proof.
Gritting materials: What is permitted?
The choice of gritting material is not unrestricted – many municipalities ban road salt:
- Granulate/grit: Environmentally friendly, permitted in most municipalities
- Road salt: Only for extreme ice and often only approved for roadways
- Sand: Cost-effective but less effective
We exclusively use approved and environmentally friendly gritting materials – tailored to local regulations.
Costs and contract design
Professional winter service is typically billed via a seasonal contract (November to March). Costs depend on:
- Size of the areas to be cleared
- Frequency of operations (standby service)
- Desired services (clearing only or also gritting)
- Accessibility and service times
The advantage of a flat-rate contract: you have predictable costs and do not need to worry about anything.
Avoiding liability risks
When you delegate winter service to a professional provider, the execution responsibility transfers to them. However, you retain the supervisory duty. This means:
- Choose a reliable, insured service provider
- Put the contract in writing
- Carry out random spot checks on execution
Conclusion
Winter service for commercial properties is more than just snow clearing – it is about liability protection, documentation and reliability. With a professional partner at your side, you are on the safe side.
Interested in professional winter service? We serve numerous commercial clients in the East Westphalia region. More about our commercial services or contact us directly for a no-obligation quote.