Road salt versus ice melt: Which works best for your business?

According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty of care towards their employees. That's why it's a good idea to stock up on winter supplies before the cold spell arrives. Here at PureSafety, we provide a wide range of de-icing products that will help keep your premises safe - but what should you buy for your business? Well, if you've already been looking for safety equipment online, you might have come across white rock salt that works in most cases as well as brown rock salt and ice melt.

They each work in slightly different ways and have their own benefits, so here's a little more information about the products we have available to help you decide.

White rock salt

White rock salt is suitable for use on paths, steps, car parks and roads. It's of the highest purity, meaning it leaves no residue on the ground and can reduce the freezing point of ice and snow down to minus ten degrees centigrade. As it's supplied in 25kg bags, it's easy to store in cupboards and on shelves, but it can be corrosive, so it's best to keep it away from vulnerable materials. If you want to use it with spreaders, always clean them after use to prevent damage.

Brown rock salt

Both white and brown salt particles have been formed over millions of years, but the latter tends to be a more impure version of sodium chloride. Unlike white salt, it doesn't disappear when applied, but instead leaves a gritty residue which allows for optimum traction. The dark colour makes it easy to see which areas have and have not been treated, helping to make working environments as safe as possible. Our brown de-icing salt can also reduce the freezing point of liquid to minus eight degrees centigrade and prevents against re-freezing when the weather turns nasty.

Ice melt

Ice melt is a great alternative to gritty products, as it provides up to ten times more coverage than normal rock salt. A light sprinkling can clear snow and ice fast and it even stops refreezing for up to 24-hours, so you shouldn't have to use it more than once a day. What's more, corrosive sensitive areas are most likely to need ice melt, so it could prove valuable if there are surfaces you need to protect. This product also comes in 10kg bags and is ideal for businesses with limited storage space. Planning for winter safety essentials early is a priority, so take the time to browse our extensive product range.