How to Spread Winter Salt

During the winter when roads get icy, rock salt and grit are used to create traction. Likewise, many pavements and other public spaces are sprinkled with grit and rock salt to work toward preventing slippery surfaces that may cause injury to walkers.

To help you effectively use rock salt on your property or at your place of business, we've created a helpful guide to address some common questions.

Why Use Rock Salt?

Rock salt has been an effective tool during the winter months due to its lower freezing point. This means that it can remain unfrozen in lower temperatures than water Spreading salt over surfaces reduces the ability for ice to form, thus preventing a slick surface.

When the temperature dips below freezing, non-salted areas will freeze, creating potentially dangerous surfaces for pedestrians and vehicles.

By spreading rock salt, you are ensuring a safer travel space for those around your home or place of business. This reduces risk of falling, and thus reduces risk of injury for employees, customers, and business associates.

Employer Responsibility

As an employer or business owner, it is your duty to create a safe access area for your employees and/or clients/customers.

The Health and Safety Executive states, 'All workers are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled.

Under health and safety law, the primary responsibility for this is down to employers.' More information can be found regarding health and safety and what it means for employers on the Health and Safety Executive website, www.HSE.gov.uk.

How Should Rock Salt be Spread?

Rock salt is easily spread, simply by using a shovel or a scoop. The salt should be distributed evenly over the walking or driving area, approximating 10-15 grams of salt per square metre to prevent ice from forming.

However, if snow is in the forecast, then we suggest an increase of 20-40 grams of salt per square metre.

For ease of handling, we supply 25kg bags of rock salt, which allows for approximately 40 applications.

For larger surfaces, we recommend a salt spreader. These come in hand-held models to push spreaders and even motorized spreaders.

Each of these devices allows for the rock salt to spread evenly at a more efficient pace. We recommend taking a look at our Heavy Duty Grit Spreader to help with your winter preparations.

Remember to be safe this winter, and ensure you have enough rock salt for the colder months to keep yourself and those around you from harm on those icy roads and pavements.

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We offer rock salt spreading throughout Aberdeen, Peterhead, Dundee and Aberdeenshire. Follow the link below to find out more about the areas that we offer road gritting in north Scotland.