Snow Removal and Fall Prevention
By Chad Engle, Loss Prevention and Safety Specialist
As I sit writing this article it is the day after our first snow of the year and thermometer is reading a chilly 19 degrees. After arriving at the NIRMA office I had to negotiate my way around some ice, so it felt like a great time to discuss snow removal and fall prevention. I am certain we will see several automobile accidents along with slip and fall claims as a result of the first snow of the year.
Most important, timely snow removal. It can be difficult to have every sidewalk cleared of snow by the time staff arrives but that should be our goal. Snow removal should start at the entrance most commonly used by staff and the public. NIRMA continues to recommend maintaining a snow removal log that documents when snow removal started and when it was complete. During heavy snowfall it may be a never-ending process, but we need to be able to document what was done, and when, if someone falls and we are in a position where the county is being defended. We need to document our use of ice melt as well. This should include when the ice melt was applied, where it was applied and how much was applied. These records are vital when we are defending a member against a slip and fall claim.
After the initial snow removal is complete property owners need to perform regular inspections of the walkways and follow up snow removal and ice melt application. These follow up inspections should be documented as well. Remember to keep an eye on problem areas that never receive any direct sunlight or areas where the melting snow runs back on walkways and refreezes. Try to be proactive and push the snow into areas where it does not run onto walkways and refreeze, this will save a lot of work with follow up ice melt application.
Keep curb cuts and wheelchair ramps free from snow and ice as well. Snowplows tend to cover up curb cuts as they push snow off streets, these are our responsibility as property owners to maintain.
Parking lots need maintained in a safe condition just like walkways. It is not uncommon to see wonderfully maintained sidewalks but to get to them you must skate across an ice-covered parking lot. If you are unable to remove all the snow from parking areas, please apply salt or gravel so that employees and customers can safely get from their vehicles to the walkways.
In the event of a slip and fall injury please perform an investigation so that we are in a position to handle a claim appropriately. This includes taking photos of the accident scene as soon as possible, speaking to the injured person, witnesses, obtaining contact information, and pulling footage from video cameras if possible. Video footage is incredibly useful for our adjusters when defending our members from slip and fall claims.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding snow removal documentation or in the event of a possible claim. I can be reached at 1.800.642.6671 or chad@nirma.info.
