Firms across the UK have been urged to make sure their car parks and outside areas are not posing a danger to staff, customers or members of the public.

Safetyshop, one of the country's leading safety products manufacturers, recommends that businesses carry out a full risk assessment to help ensure they are doing everything possible to minimise risk when it comes to outdoor premises.

The winter weather has resulted in surfaces on many public roads becoming uneven, with potholes appearing up and down the UK. The government announced in February that it will allocate an extra 100m to councils in England to help pay for road repairs - a reminder of just how seriously the authorities view the issue of poorly maintained road surfaces.

Unfortunately, businesses have also suffered at the hands of the winter weather and it is just as important that holes and uneven surfaces in private car parks and outdoor workplace areas are attended to. This can help improve car park security as well as safety. Companies have an obligation under The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to provide a safe environment and this includes maintaining the condition of traffic routes and floors and objects such as speed control ramps.

Ed Barnes, Product Manager at Safetyshop, said: "Every company is responsible for minimising the opportunities for falls, slips and trips in the workplace, and Safetyshop has the right products available to help firms mitigate these risks.

"If there are issues that need to be addressed, such as dangerous potholes, then it is important that firms erect suitable car park signs to warn people until the problem has been dealt with."