BLOG NUMBER 19.27
Many people experience heightened risks of accidents owing to snow pile up during winter. States have, therefore, come up with several policies to mitigate the concern and provide a comprehensive plan to deal with snow and prevent such incidents brought about by winter.
After taking the snow problem into account, it’s critical to provide for necessary methods and procedures of removing snow from walking surfaces. This article aims at giving you the techniques of snow removal operations, procedures, and equipment.
Methods of Snow Removal Operations
Use of shovel
Shoveling is among the best methods for snow removal. Apart from being cheap it also curbs adverse environmental impacts. While using a shovel, make sure you are in good shape and physically fit to carry out the operation. As such, you’ll be able to avoid injuries that may arise from the application of a shovel. Use a versatile shovel during snow removal, as this will be your best bet for shoving, lifting, and throwing.
Plowing
Snow plowing refers to a process of removing snow from roads or a surface after a snowfall. Plowing is an excellent option for removing snow on relatively large driveways. Plow the driveways first before proceeding to plow the home streets. This is a task best handled either by an individual, firm, or government. Even so, hiring plowing services will cost not more than $ 75 per plow.
Snow Blowing
This option is the easiest solution for homeowners who are tired of removing snow by hand. Snowblowers can make your work relatively easier, more so, because it allows you to take advantage of a variety of snow blowers at varying cost. Even so, to avoid high costs of snow plowing, consider the snowfalls you receive in a year before you opt for a given solution. Snowblowers can also cost you more due to maintenance and fuel.
Use of salt
Although this method is not ideal for bigger storms, it’s considerably suitable, inexpensive, and does an excellent job of melting ice.
Procedures
- Salting- This starts when roads are covered considerably with ice.
- Plowing- This begins when the depth of snow is about two inches.
- Plowing of a parking lot- This should begin when the depth of snow at the parking lot is between two to four inches. This process cannot, however, be successful when cars are still parked. The parking lot can only be worked on after vehicles have cleared the area.
- When working in the parking area, plowing should be done to areas near buildings as you move further away from the structures.
Equipment
- Skid-Steer
- Utility track
- Backhoe loader
- Toro Tractor
Contracts
Let’s look at three common categories of snow and ice removal contracts;
- Pay Per-Push: Also known as Pay Per Event, this type of contract allows a property manager or owner to pay for snow removal only when the snowfalls.
- Seasoned contract (2-3 Year Agreement): This contract includes a fixed monthly cost and is active for all the winter months.
- Full-Service Seasonal Contract: Such a contract is for clients who don’t tolerate snow. It often places certain demands, meaning the contractor may even have to make use of innovative ice-melting procedures to maximize the results.
Types of De-icers Used in the Snow and Ice Removal Industry Today
Here are three commonly used de-icers today;
- Sodium chloride (Rock Salt): The most inexpensive and easiest to find de-icer today.
- Calcium chloride: It works at low temperatures and doesn’t damage the vegetation or soil, but it damages concrete.
- Magnesium chloride: This is an eco-friendly option. It’s suitable for the driveway and safe for your pets and plants.
As a snow management company, Jeremy Swenson’s Snowmen, Inc. has a great deal of experience in snow removal and procedures. Our firm makes use of modern equipment and industry-leading expertise in ice and snow removal. Jeremy Swenson also offers snow removal expert witness services. These snow removal expert witness services provide support to business owners facing snow-related lawsuits or accidents.
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