Choosing the Right Tools for Snow Removal

Apr 17, 2023

Updated: Feb 13, 2023

Now that we are halfway through winter, facilities professionals doing their own snow removal in areas of the country that have seen a lot of the white stuff might realize they don't have the proper equipment.

It's important for large facilities like colleges, hospitals, and malls that have big areas comprising parking lots, roads, and sidewalks to have the right tools for snow removal. Facilities in states that tend to have the most snow, like Vermont, Colorado, Alaska, and Michigan, should be more prepared for heavier snowfalls.

Facilities managers who want to learn how specific chemicals can help with reducing winter weather hazards, as well as those who want to hire commercial snow service companies, should read "Getting Your Facility Ready for Snow and Ice" on Facilities Management Advisor.

Untreated snow and ice could deter customers from coming to a facility and could prevent employees from accessing their worksites. Neglecting to promptly take care of these conditions could also cause a loss of profits, a lack of staff, injuries, and lawsuits by those injured.

Additionally, states and cities have different ordinances regarding snow and ice removal for sidewalks, curb ramps, and crosswalks, which could result in hefty fines if not adhered to. To learn more, check out the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) "Guide for Maintaining Pedestrian Facilities for Enhanced Safety Research Report."

Shovels are the most basic piece of snow removal equipment for sidewalks and steps and are ideal for removing snow in areas trucks can't reach. Use reflective tape on the shovel's base to increase visibility.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that shovelers scoop small amounts of snow and push the snow rather than lift it, as well as keep their backs straight, lift with their legs, and not turn or twist their bodies.

Type of snow: Use shovels with longer blades for wet and heavy snow and shovels with shorter blades for light and fluffy snow.

Amount of snow: Use push shovels for small snowfalls, but consider other options like traditional or combo shovels (with a scoop design good for lifting and pushing snow) for heavy snowfalls.

Strain: To reduce back strain, consider electric shovels, which can be corded or battery-powered, for sidewalks. However, for heavy snow, consider ergonomic snow shovels, which eliminate the need to bend too far.

Damage: Shovels with metal blades are more likely to scratch pavement or stairs than plastic blades.

Price: You can best remove compact snow and ice with shovels that have metal blades, but they cost more than aluminum and plastic shovels.

Snow rakes, which resemble a garden hoe with a long handle, are necessary to prevent roofs from collapsing due to heavy snow.

However, you should exercise caution when climbing on roofs to remove snow and ice; first determine whether the roof can support the load weight of a worker and the snow.

OSHA has investigated incidents when facilities professionals have been injured or killed while removing snow, so the agency recommends removing snow from the ground or using an aerial lift.

There are two primary types of snow rakes:

Two additional options facilities professionals have for removing snow are snow throwers, which are great for light and fluffy snow on sidewalks and small areas, and snowblowers, which are the best option for heavy and wet snow in parking lots.

Snow throwers are a good choice for places with mild winters and smaller properties, but snowblowers work better in harsh winter conditions and for larger properties.

But despite snowblowers’ usefulness, hundreds of thousands of people experience serious damage to their fingers or hands because they handled them improperly. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand reminds people to turn off their snowblower if it clogs and disengage the clutch before using a stick or broom handle to clear impacted snow.

When attaching a plow to a vehicle, consider the vehicle's physical size, horsepower, and type. Failing to do so could damage the vehicle, the plow, or both.

Also, based on the needs of your facilities’ parking lots, choose the appropriate type of snowplow:

Found on most winter service vehicles, gritters spread grit (usually rock salt) onto roadways and are typically attached to a truck. Grit helps prevent the formation of ice and wears down existing snow and ice and is more effective in high-traffic areas. The best time to use grit is when the ground is damp but not frozen. While brown grit is usually used, it is best to use clear grit in front of businesses.

Several types of snow removal loader solutions facilities managers should consider include the following:

Taking all the above into consideration, facilities professionals should determine what snow removal options would work best for their properties and location.