Download the Charing Cross snow clearance priority map [PDF, 232KB]View the Royal Brompton snow clearance priority map [PDF, 118KB]

Contact us

For more information contact the Building Manager, Anna McDadd 07734 879 274; Speed dial: 57837.

Charing Cross, Royal Brompton, St Mary’s 

Planning and responsibilities

Supplies and clearance

From the 1st November five day weather and 24 hour forecasts will be observed by the Building Managers.  Although forecasts cannot be relied upon for accuracy, this will assist in planning for necessary clearance when snow or below zero temperatures are forecast.

The Maintenance Team at Charing Cross, the Cleaning Team at Royal Brompton, and the Cleaning Supervisor at St Mary's, will undertake a stock check in advance of the onset of each winter, in early October to ensure that sufficient essential supplies are held on the premises. They will notify the Building Manager of any requirements for further supplies. Orders for supplies will be placed by the Building Manager with a member of the Soft Services team. Supplies will be replenished as necessary, subject to availability. Please note that orders for supplies may be subject to cancellation without notice due to diversion to Highways Agency regions if the Government deems this to be the main priority.

Detail for specific sites

Charing Cross

The Maintenance Team will be responsible for clearance of snow and ice at building entrances.

Royal Brompton

The Cleaning Team will be responsible for clearance of snow and ice from the path at the entrance to the Guy Scadding building. There are no requirements for the clearance of snow and ice at the Emmanuel Kaye building as this area is maintained by the council.

St Mary’s

The Cleaning Team will be responsible for clearance of snow and ice from the steps at the entrance to the Wright and Flemming buildings and from the rear access ramp to the Medical School.

Contingency Arrangements

In extreme weather conditions it may not be possible to undertake clearance of snow and ice from all areas detailed in this policy as staff may be unable to get to work. If snow fall occurs during periods when designated staff are unavailable for clearance (ie. on weekends), Security will assist with clearance of priority areas where possible.

Areas to be cleared

Areas to be cleared are shown on 'Snow Clearance Priority' maps for each campus. These areas will be prioritised and scheduled according to the number of designated staff available to carry out the task and according to the amount of resources available. Areas to be cleared will include main entrances and steps leading into all campus buildings, ensuring sufficient cleared area to accommodate wheelchairs. This task will take precedence over most other activity planned for those days when snow or ice is on the ground. The NHS Trust is responsible for clearing the remainder of the sites. The Public rights of way will not be cleared (see comments under ‘Liability’ above).

Training in the correct procedures to do this safely will be given following consultation with the Health and Safety Manager.

Equipment and supplies

The Charing Cross site will be equipped with:

  • 1 x Salt spreader
  • 1x Grit bin to be positioned in front of the Reynolds building, near to the car park.
  • 15 x Bags of rock salt
  • 2 x Ice melt tubs with scoop. One to be stored in the security office in Reynolds, and one to be stored in the cleaning cupboard in Glenister
  • 1 x Snow shovel  
  • Appropriate protective clothing for staff which will be stored in the security office in Reynolds

The Royal Brompton site will be equipped with:

  • 2 x Ice melt tubs with scoops
  • 1 x Snow shovel
  • Appropriate protective clothing for staff
  • All above to be stored in the cleaner’s store

The St Mary’s site will be equipped with:

  • 2 x Ice melt tubs with scoops
  • 1 x Snow shovel
  • Appropriate protective clothing for staff
  • All above to be stored in the cleaner’s store

Method of clearance

Clearing and gritting

  • Remove snow using shovel. Brooms will not be used as they cause surfaces to become slippery and neither will hot water be applied as it can refreeze and increase the hazard.
  • Apply rock salt, or equivalent, to melt any remaining traces of ice. This should be applied sparingly near to entrances as it can be corrosive to the fabric of buildings.
  • If further snow falls, then pathways will be re-cleared and re-salted.

Student, staff and visitor responsibilities

Staff, students and visitors also have a responsibility to be careful themselves, for example by wearing appropriate footwear, taking care when walking in wintry conditions, keeping to cleared pathways and avoiding areas which have been indicated as particularly hazardous.