A Landscape White-Out Doesn’t Have To Be A Business Wipe-Out
Top tips: How To…. Manage Snow Clearance
1. FIRST THINGS FIRST
Be prepared. Survey the premises before winter to identify areas that will need to remain accessible during adverse weather conditions.Plan ahead for winter maintenance to ensure snow clearing machinery is available when required, and train staff to operate it before it snows. Speak to a snow clearance expert to determine the type of snow clearing machinery needed for your application. Use forecasts to anticipate bad weather. It is best to clear snow soon after it has fallen, since fresh snow is easier to remove. Ideally snow needs to be cleared before it turns to ice
2. HOW TO CLEAR SNOW
Traditionally snow has been cleared manually with shovels and salt or grit, but this is hard, cold work. Today there are a number of snow and ice clearing machinery options on the market that are easy and effective to use. Consisting of a power unit that operates attachments that throw, plough or brush snow, as well as spreading salt, the machinery effectively treats areas that need to remain accessible. Effective on a wide range of terrains, the machinery can be used on slopes up to 25°.
3. DEALING WITH HEAVY SNOW
Heavy snow up to 30cm can be cleared in one pass using machinery that throws the snow to the side of its path. This type of machinery can clear all types of snow, breaking it up and propelling it up to 16m away with a stainless steel discharge chute that can be angled to suit the applications. Although very effective for clearing deep snow, businesses need to ensure the snow is thrown into a ‘safe’ area, free from pedestrians.
4. WHY PLOUGH?
Snow ploughs or blades are ideal for clearing snow up to 30cm deep. Snow ploughs literally shovel snow in their path to create an access way. They are ideal for clearing heavy snow in areas where it is not practical to use a snow thrower. The working angle of the blade can be adjusted to push the snow to the left or the right.
5. CLEARING PATHWAYS
By using a snow brush businesses can quickly and effectively clear a surface of snow, making the terrain instantly safe for pedestrians and cars. Designed to manage heavy duty sweeping applications, a snow brush attachment is ideal for clearing snow up to 10cm deep from block paving, synthetic turf, car parks and yards, as well as clearing snow from pavements and tarmac.
6. CLEARING SNOW FROM GRASS
Grass can be treated in the same way as any other hard surface when clearing snow. However, salt and grit should not be used on turf since it will kill the grass. When salting on paths next to grass verges, salt spreader machinery should offer accurate salt spray control to ensure only the areas that need to be treated are salted.
7. HOW TO CLEAR GRAVEL DRIVES?
Gravel drives are tricky to clear snow from. It is unwise to opt for a snow brush or snow plough on this terrain because these implements will clear a path in the gravel, as well as the snow. Instead a snow thrower should be used. With this type of machinery adjustable skids allow different height settings depending on the ground conditions ensuring the machine is set at a level to deal with the snow that is above the gravel.
8. TO SALT OR NOT TO SALT
Snow clearing machinery effectively clears a path free from snow. However, salting the path after clearing snow will ensure any moisture left on the terrain does not turn to ice. A salt spreader can be attached to a snow clearing power unit to accurately distribute salt over the desired area. The width of the coverage can be adapted by altering the position of the side deflectors. By using snow clearing machinery followed by a salt spreader businesses can use salt efficiently and so save on annual costs.
9. GRITTING OR SALTING?
When selecting grit or salt for properties businesses must ensure they select the correct material for their application. Grit has little ice or snow melting properties and just provides grip for vehicles. Meanwhile, although road salt has a gritty appearance, it is not grit. Instead road salt works by lowering the freezing point of moisture on the road surface. To be effective road salt needs to be crushed by traffic and dissolved. White de-icing salt or processed salts are purer and so do not create the muddy sludge associated with road salt and grit. Leaving little or no residue on the ground, processed salts are excellent for spreading. Finally, ice melts are designed to work at a wider range of temperatures and the products are free flowing and spread easily.
10. COLD WORK
Clearing snow can be cold work so ensure that people working outside take regular breaks to warm up. Selecting snow clearing machinery that features a power unit with a quick release system that does not require tools will make it easy to switch attachments in the cold weather. Lastly always make sure there is hot cup of tea waiting when you finish!
Checklist:
- Draw up a winter risk management plan to help fulfil your duty of care and prevent accidents in slippery conditions.The Occupiers' Liability Act states property owners have a duty of care to maintain safe access for visitors to premises. This means taking reasonable steps to clear ice or snow from access ways.
- Document winter maintenance to demonstrate action has been taken to fulfil duty-of care obligations. With unpredictable conditions, such as snow and ice, there may still be a risk of accidents, even when everything has been done to reduce theses risks. If a personal injury case is brought a detailed record of actions taken to reduce risks will be needed by insurers and lawyers.
For further information on Tracmaster’s snow clearance machinery tel: 01444 247689 or visit www.tracmaster.co.uk
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Established in 1984 Tracmaster has grown and developed two brands of machinery, CAMON and BCS that have become widely known and respected for their performance and durability.
Media Contact:
Jemima Stiles
Aneela Rose PR
Tel: 01444 241341
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it