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Building a Snow Removal Safety Program

Snow removal packs a lot of risk into a few hours: heavy equipment in the dark, tired crews, icy surfaces, pedestrians and traffic. A written safety program will not stop the snow, but it reduces injuries, protects your crew and gives you records that clients, workers compensation boards and insurers want to see.

This guide lays out the building blocks. It is a starting point, not a substitute for the occupational health and safety rules in your province.

General information only, not legal or insurance advice. Rules change; confirm with the regulator or agency named on this page, a lawyer for your specific situation, and your broker.

1. Start With a Hazard Review

List the hazards your crews face at each type of site before the season starts:

  • slips and falls on ice, especially for sidewalk crews and anyone leaving a cab
  • backing and blind spots around pedestrians, parked cars and buildings
  • hidden obstacles such as curbs, islands, drains and fire hydrants
  • traffic when working near roads
  • carbon monoxide from idling equipment in enclosed spaces
  • roof work and falls from height
  • manual shovelling strain and cold exposure

Do a site walk at each property and note site specific hazards on the route sheet.

2. Train Every Operator and Shoveller

Training should cover equipment operation, pre trip checks, site hazards, communication and what to do after an incident. Industry training is available: SIMA offers "Safety First" Sidewalk Crew Training and "Safety First" Plow Operations Training, covering topics including fatigue management, pre trip checks, defensive winter driving and in storm safety. Salt application training through Smart About Salt covers calibration and clearing techniques.

Keep a training record for every worker with the date, topic and trainer.

3. Vehicle and Equipment Checks

A pre trip check before every shift catches problems before they become accidents: lights, hydraulics, blade mounts, tires, wipers and fluids.

Some checks are also legal requirements. In Ontario, daily trip inspections are required for many commercial vehicles, and annual inspections apply to most trucks and trailers over 4,500 kg, with a limited exemption for personal use pickups. In Alberta, the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program applies to vehicles above set registered weights. Confirm which rules apply to your trucks with your provincial transportation ministry. See Ontario commercial auto requirements and Alberta commercial auto requirements.

4. Manage Fatigue

Storms do not respect shift lengths. Fatigue is one of the topics SIMA covers in its crew training for good reason. Plan rotations, set maximum shift lengths, schedule breaks and give supervisors authority to send tired operators home. Build extra crew into your pricing so you are not forced to choose between safety and service.

5. Fall Protection for Roof Work

Roof snow removal is a separate level of risk. Every province we cover sets a fall protection threshold, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety:

  • Ontario: construction projects generally require fall protection where a worker could fall more than 3 metres, and industrial workplaces set the same threshold.
  • British Columbia: where a fall of 3 m (10 ft) or more may occur, or where a lower fall carries a greater risk of injury.
  • Alberta: at a vertical distance of 3 metres or more, or less if there is an unusual possibility of injury.
  • Saskatchewan: where a worker may fall 3 metres or more and there are no guardrails.

IHSA notes that most construction fall incidents are falls from heights, "even though the height may be no more than two or three metres." If you offer roof clearing, see roof snow removal insurance and tell your broker.

6. Protective Equipment

Set minimum personal protective equipment for every role: high visibility clothing, ice traction footwear for sidewalk crews, gloves, eye protection and hearing protection where needed. Some contracts spell this out. The Town of Slave Lake's 2020 to 2023 snow tender, for example, required PPE meeting Alberta's OHS Act, Regulation and Code.

7. Incident Reporting

Write down what crews should do after any incident: make the site safe, get medical help, take photos, record names and notify the office. Report property damage and injuries to your broker promptly. Report workplace injuries to your provincial workers compensation board as required. For how claims unfold, see the snow removal claims guide.

8. Subcontractor Safety

If subcontractors work on your sites, share your site hazard notes and safety expectations with them. Check their workers compensation status. See hiring subcontractors safely.

9. Keep It Documented

A safety program only exists, as far as a client or insurer is concerned, if it is written down. Keep the written program, training records, inspection sheets, incident reports and site logs together.

How a Safety Program Relates to Insurance

Workplace injuries are handled through workers compensation, and those premiums are set by provincial boards. Injuries to the public and property damage fall under general liability and auto coverage. A safety program does not guarantee a lower premium, but a documented program gives your broker something concrete to present to underwriters.

Provincial workers compensation pages: WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC, WCB Alberta and WCB Saskatchewan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a written safety program for a small snow business?

Requirements depend on your province and number of workers, so check with your provincial OHS regulator. Even where not required, a written program helps train crews and shows clients and insurers how you manage risk.

What safety training is available for snow crews?

SIMA offers Safety First training for plow operators and sidewalk crews, and Smart About Salt training covers salt application and clearing techniques.

When is fall protection required for roof snow removal?

In Ontario, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan the general threshold is a potential fall of 3 metres, with some lower thresholds in specific situations. Confirm with your provincial regulator.

Will a safety program lower my insurance premium?

It is not guaranteed. A documented program gives your broker concrete information to present to insurers.