Snowplow Safety
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
As the operator of a snowplow, it’s crucial to recognize the approaching winter weather and understand that cities and municipalities will rely on your skills to clear snow and ice from their roadways. While snowplows are valuable winter tools, it falls on you to ensure their safe operation.
Read on for more information on the safe operation of snowplows, and prepare for a winter season that prioritizes both efficiency and safety.
Snowplow Safety Tips
Operating snowplows in wintry conditions can present several risks. Here are safety tips to consider when using them to help ensure your and others’ safety:
- Get a good night’s sleep. This promotes heightened alertness, better decision-making, reduced fatigue and increased safety on treacherous winter roads.
- Review your route to be ready for steep hills, intersections, sharp turns, narrow streets, changes in surfaces and other potential hazards (e.g., speed bumps, low limbs, railroad tracks, mailboxes, utility covers).
- Perform a pre-trip inspection on your vehicle. Inspect the brakes, lights, wipers, tires, spreader and auger, defroster, mirrors and other safety features.
- Ensure your snowplow is properly equipped with emergency supplies such as a first-aid kit, radio, cellphone, flashlight, shovel, flares, reflective vest, blanket, food and drinking water.
- Enter and exit the snowplow’s cab safely using the three points of contact method (i.e., face the vehicle and keep one foot and two hands or two feet and one hand on the vehicle at all times).
- Stay alert when driving, watch your speed, wear a safety belt, use turn signals, and follow all applicable traffic laws while being patient with other drivers and pedestrians.
- Know where to safely pile the snow; avoid placing it in high-traffic areas as it could melt and refreeze, creating slippery black ice, and avoid blocking fire hydrants, fire lanes and drains.
- Avoid pushing snow off bridges or overpasses, as it can fall on cars or people below. Consider how windy conditions may affect visibility and where to pile snow.
- Routinely check your mirrors and blind spots, look for closely following vehicles and scan the area for stalled cars, pedestrians, animals or children playing on snow piles.
- Make sure to pay attention to parked cars and mailbox locations in residential areas so as not to hit these objects when clearing the sides of the streets.
- Stop periodically to clear ice and snow from your lights and windows and ensure the plow shoes are adjusted for various surfaces.
- Pull over on the side of the road if you need to report an accident or emergency to avoid distracted driving.
- Remember to set the brakes and disengage the power to the spreader and plow before exiting the cab.
- Never drink alcohol or use other drugs prior to heading out to plow snow.
- Drive defensively when operating a snowplow to prevent accidents from occurring.
For more safety information, contact your supervisor.
- Published in Blog
Avoid Winter Slip-ups
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
Winter months present additional hazards that are typically not factors for employees during warmer weather – specifically, slip and fall concerns. With snow and ice-covered conditions, you run the risk of taking major falls, which can lead to serious injuries.
Prevention
Education is essential in preventing winter weather-related injuries. Consider the following recommendations to prevent slip and fall injuries during the winter months:
- Wear the proper footwear that provides traction on snow and ice. Footwear should be made of anti-slip material; avoid plastic and leather-soled shoes or boots.
- Exercise caution when entering and exiting vehicles, and use the vehicle for balance and support.
- Try to walk only in designated areas that are safe for foot traffic. If you notice that a walkway is covered in ice, walk on the grass next to the sidewalk, which will have more traction.
- Avoid inclines that are typically difficult to walk up or down as they may be more treacherous in winter conditions.
- Take small steps to maintain your center of balance, walk slowly and never run. When possible, walk with your hands free to maintain your balance. And despite the cold temperatures, avoid putting your hands in your pockets. This will help you better maintain your balance and allow you to break a fall should you slip.
- Use handrails, walls or anything stationary to assist in steadying your feet.
- Look ahead to the path in front of you to avoid hazards.
- Test a potentially slippery area before stepping on it by tapping your foot on the surface first.
- Remove debris, water and ice from all working walkways.
- Steer clear of roof edges, floor openings and other drop-offs to avoid slipping hazards.
- Sand or salt surfaces covered by ice or snow to provide traction.
- Dry your shoes or boots on floor mats when entering a building.
- Report trip and fall hazards immediately to your supervisor.
- Seek shelter immediately in the event of severe weather conditions.
If You Begin to Slip…
- Twist your body and roll backward to avoid falling forward and injuring your face.
- Try to relax your body when you start to feel your legs give way.
If you are carrying a load, throw it off to the side so it does not land on you when you fall. This will also free your arms to help break your fall.
- Published in Blog