Tips for Snow, Ice Removal
Keep Your Employees, Customers Safe
Prevent your employees and customers from falling by developing a plan for snow and ice removal in parking lots and on sidewalks.
- Develop a written snow removal plan, including the names and phone numbers of key personnel and their responsibilities.
- Establish an inclement weather policy, including communications to employees and those responsible for snow and ice removal.
- Properly stage your equipment and test it before the storm. If you are not equipped to remove the snow and ice, make arrangements with a snow removal contractor.
- Pre-order and position any supplies that are needed such as ice melt, snow shovels and snow rakes.
- Maintain a log of snow and ice removal activities. The log should include the date, time, activity performed and the person completing it.
Snow and ice accumulation on building roofs should be monitored. Look for the following signs:
- Doors sticking when they did not do so before
- New drywall cracks
- Creaking noises
- Bows in the roof structure
As snow on the roof melts and refreezes, icicles and ice dams can form. Since ice weighs five times as much as snow, accumulations can add to the weight of roof loading. If it is safe to do so, follow these guidelines:
- Use a snow rake from the ground level. Be sure to position yourself away from snow being removed from the roof.
- Shovels can damage roofing materials.
- Leave 1-2 inches of snow on the roof.
- If snow removal cannot be performed safely, hire a professional snow removal contractor.
