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• Winter Safety
  • Snow Removal Guidelines

Snow Removal Safety Guidelines

Purpose:

To provide recommendations for the safety of all personnel during a snow removal program.

Policies and Procedures:

The following recommendations should be considered when involved with snow removal:

1. When working with hand tools during snow removal, special attention should be given to walking. Many slips and falls result in a lost time injury. You should remember that ice and hard packed snow are generally more hazardous when wet than when dry.
2. Shoveling snow is a very physical type work. It involves the entire muscular and cardio-vascular system. Enthusiasm is admirable, but if it results in a heart attack, everybody loses.
3. Before operating snow removal equipment of any type, check all of the operational gear, brakes, lights, attachments, and plow bolts. If any of the above are faulty, do not operate this equipment until repairs have been completed. Driving faulty equipment endangers yourself, other people, and it can also be the cause of further damage to your equipment.
4. If you have an accident, be sure you have all the details available when filling out or completing the University Vehicle Accident report form. If needed, call the Campus Police Service, 865-5458 and request the assistance of an officer. If you damage University property other than a vehicle, a special form must be completed. Discuss with your foreman the accident you were involved in. Drive safely and obey all traffic signs and signals.
5. If you suffer an on-the-job injury, report this to your foreman promptly. If unable to do so, request help from a fellow worker or anyone who may be able to help you.
6. A substantial amount of out snow equipment damage is traceable to careless operation and driving too fast for conditions. If you, the operator, will keep this foremost in your mind, we will drastically reduce our accidents and equipment damage. This is a proven fact when we compare the careful, prudent driver with the one who is careless and has no respect for the equipment he is operating.
7. When plowing streets, roads, and sidewalk, reduce your speed to the point where you will not splash or in any way harm other vehicles or pedestrians. The job has to be accomplished without creating hazards to others. Optimum speed for vehicular snow removal equipment is 10 to 15 mph.