When snow piles begin to form outside your home or business, it means a few things – cold weather, brushing snow off vehicles, bundling up, and having to make your way through several inches of snow, slush, and ice. However, hidden dangers may also cause injuries and even fatalities.
From where piles are located to snow refreezing and children playing near snow piles, there are hidden dangers you need to be aware of. You can also take precautions to ensure everyone stays safe in winter weather conditions.
Remember, by hiring a professional snow removal service; you can keep your property free of potentially hazardous snow piles.
Keep reading to learn more about the potential dangers of snow piles here.
Pile Placement
When snow moves into the area, you may already have a plan to handle the situation for your business. However, you need to ensure the company you hire to handle snow removal is aware of how to pile the snow so that it does not create dangerous conditions. Piles must be away from street corners, handicap-accessible locations, driveway aprons, fire hydrants, and street signs.
You should also ensure snow piles aren't near your business's entry or exit in case of an emergency. If piles are left in this location, it can make getting in and out of the building difficult. Also, if there is an emergency call, it will create hazardous conditions for EMS service providers.
Refreezing
During the day, snow will begin to melt thanks to the sun. However, when evening approaches and temperatures drop, the slush created by melting snow can refreeze, which results in ice. When melting happens, the water created from snow piles will try to reach a drain or low spot. This means that roads, driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots can become extremely dangerous for people and vehicles as the water and slush refreeze.
Piles of snow need to be placed as close as possible to the higher side, close to a drain, ensuring that the water is captured and removed as the snow piles melt. It may also be beneficial to request that your snow removal service provider adds salt close to the piles to eliminate potentially slippery conditions.
Don't Leave Snow Removal to Chance
When it comes to commercial snow removal services, there are several things to keep in mind. For example, snow piles in areas close to commercial buildings and parking lots can pose serious hazards for you, your employees, and your customers.
Be sure to speak to the service provider you hired about pile placement to ensure everyone on your property's safety. By doing this, you can keep your property snow-free and prevent accidents that may result in liability lawsuits being filed against you or your business.
Working with a reputable and professional snow removal company will pay off in the long run. Make this a part of your risk-prevention plan before cold weather moves in.