Snow Removal Operations Expert Article

Proper snow and ice management is critical for maintaining the safety of parking lots and sidewalks throughout the winter season. This article addresses the standard of care for snow and ice removal as it relates to slips, trips, and falls and other loss claims.

Snow and Ice Management Expert Investigations 

Preparation Before Snow Season

Planning for snow and ice management should begin well in advance of any freezing precipitation. Snow and ice contractors commonly have annual contracts with businesses and municipalities to provide specific services. While contracts vary widely, they commonly address issues such as:

• Storm Response Time
• Accumulation Depth to Trigger Response
• Required Condition of Walking/Driving Surfaces
• Locations to Store Plowed Snow
• Requirements for Applying Ice Melt

Once a snow and ice contract is executed, ideally before snow season is underway, the planning begins with an inspection of the site, site preparation, staking, signage, mapping, and identification of potential dangers and hazardous conditions associated with the site.

A preseason inspection provides the opportunity to plan how the snow and ice will be serviced.  Existing damage to curbs, turf, pylons, sidewalks, etc. should be noted and discussed with the account owner as well as operational hours and snow triggers.

It is also important to document the risk areas, the approved snow pile locations, and what personnel will be assigned to account. The most current map or aerial/drone photography, if available, should be used to mark out areas that require special precautions such as:

• Irrigation heads along the curb
• High utility access covers
• Raised curb stops near a snow pile location
• and others

These documents should be kept on file.

Snow Plow Operations Training

Training is key to a properly running snow and ice company. In my experience, in both municipal and commercial snow operations, an annual snowplow meeting is held before the start of snow season which includes all employees and contractors.

The annual meeting covers policies, special precautions, safety, equipment, jobs, applicable laws, processes and procedures, proper salt usage, emergency response, and remote equipment repair kits. The end of the meeting is open for questions and discussion and then all personnel sign off on the training and that document is kept on file.

Storm Response

Plow operators need to understand the requirements of each property they are servicing to ensure they satisfy the requirements of the contract. Maps or diagrams are helpful to remind operators where to put the snow to avoid issues with sightlines, drainage, and freezing/thawing cycles.

When possible, snow operators should push the snow as far back beyond the curb or lot edge to make room for additional snowfall. It is especially important to never push snow against buildings, bury utilities or infrastructure, or block doorways, paths, and garbage enclosures. 

Pedestrian Walkways

Snow and ice control measures should be prioritized based on pedestrian use and walkways should be monitored. Special attention should be given to peak pedestrian usage areas and usage timeframes such as shift changes, delivery hours, public business hours, etc.

Care must be taken to maintain usable walkways according to the client’s trigger thresholds. The use of anti-icing and deicing products need to take into consideration client preferences and operational conditions.

Anti-Icing and De-Icing Equipment

Equipment used to apply anti-icing and de-icing materials need to be in good working order and applicators must be trained.  When snow removal and other de-icing materials are not possible, sand and other abrasives can be used to provide traction.

Operators should proceed with safety in mind and adhere to all vehicular operational laws and ordinances.  It is imperative to always yield to pedestrians with equipment clearance and be sure to direct all snow safely away from people, vehicles, and property that could be damaged. 

All aspects of the site’s snow plan should be followed to avoid directing snow onto completed sidewalks or loading docks. 

Crews should also be prepared with safety equipment such as tow straps, reflector triangles, extra warm gear, first aid, a spill kit, and safety cones. 

Post-Event Response

Snow and ice personnel need to document when they arrived at each account, the services they performed, how much salt formulation they used, any areas they didn’t service, any incidents that occurred, and what time they left the account. If an incident did occur, personnel should follow the company policy to immediately report it.

As a snow/ice event concludes, when contracts specify, it is important to monitor accounts post-event for site/weather changes that could lead to unsafe conditions and require revisiting accounts. Unsafe conditions could arise from drifting snow, melting snow, refreezing, snow from other removal operations, and other factors.

Discovery Items for Snow & Ice Cases

The following items may prove helpful for all parties investigating an incident related to snow and ice removal:

• Snow removal contract(s)
• Training documents for snow/ice personnel
• Weather reports for days or weeks leading up to the incident
• Formulation of ice melt used at the property
• Documentation of snow/ice personnel and equipment response for the incident throughout the season of the incident

To discuss your case with an expert, submit an inquiry or call us at 800.813.6736.

Featured Expert

Christopher Larson, BCMA, TRAQ

Board Certified Master Arborist & Tree Expert

Chris Larson is a Board Certified Master Arborist with over 20 years of experience in urban forestry, arboriculture, and landscape design/maintenance. Chris has extensive expertise in the responsibilities of property managers and local governments to remove hazard trees, maintain lines of sight and right of ways, and protect the health and vitality of neighboring properties. Chris has also participated in and coordinated both commercial and municipal snow removal operations.