Prepare your business for winter

There are tasks you can do to prepare your business for winter, including:

• identify hazards inside and outside the workplace
• review and update your emergency management plan
• check your business has the personal protective equipment (PPE) for cold temperatures
• do an inventory audit
• review your business continuity plans to make sure they account for winter conditions and potential disruptions.

Managing energy use in your business is especially important during winter, when heating, lighting and additional equipment can increase your energy costs.

Reviewing your energy use before winter demand peaks can help you identify savings and avoid unexpected costs.

You should:

• test heaters, lights and equipment to see if they work and are safe to use
• review your energy use
• compare and consider changing your energy provider
• research and consider investing in energy-efficient equipment.

Winter may cause an increase or decrease in the demand of your product or service. To prepare for this, analyse trends from previous years so you can anticipate the demand change.

If you notice an increase in the demand, consider if you need to increase your stock or hire additional casual employees. 

If you notice a decrease in the demand, manage your inventory by reducing your stock and consider reducing your business operating hours. 

Seasonal marketing campaigns include short-term promotional activities designed around a specific time of year or season, such as winter. These campaigns are a great way to capitalise on peoples winter behaviours and activities to increase sales and reach new customers. 

In your winter campaign, you can include things such as: 

• limited time offers
• themed promotional products 
• winter warming events
• flash sales
• themed social media giveaways. 

If there are local winter events or traditions near you, you can include these in your marketing campaign as well. 

It's good to prepare your seasonal marketing campaign early so you can begin promoting it as soon as the weather turns.

If you or your employees work outdoors or in cold environments, it’s important to manage the health and safety risks associated with cold weather. Prolonged exposure to cold can increase the risk of injury, fatigue and cold‑related illness.

Safety risks from working in the cold can include:

• hypothermia
• fatigue, numbing, frostbite and trench foot
• increase in workplace accidents
• icy roads and equipment
• reduced concentration and slower reaction times.

Employers have a responsibility to manage the risks involved with working in cold. To protect you and your employees, consider providing:

• warm and waterproof work clothes
• protective gear and tools
• appropriate heating
• warm food and drinks
• regular warm-up breaks
• training on working in the cold.

You can check the Bureau of Meteorology for temperature and weather warnings in your area.

Winter is the start of cold and flu season. There are things you can do to ensure your employees are safe and healthy during winter:

• Understand sick and carers leave entitlements.
• Consider offering flexible work arrangements or remote work options.
• Provide antibacterial soap, disinfectant sprays and hand sanitisers.
• Recommend the Influenza (flu) vaccine to employees.