Construction and maintenance are still going full force for most landscape companies, but it’s never too early to start preparing for the inevitable: Winter.
With weather patterns as unpredictable as ever, be sure to take time this fall to hone your snow and ice management skills in preparation for cold-weather contracts. Besides finishing up sales, renewing contracts and establishing snow removal routes, preparing for snow means making sure your plows are in good working order and crewmembers know how to operate them properly. The following checklist of tips, tricks, dos and don’ts, provided by Duke’s Landscape Management can help you refresh your snow removal skills now and prevent mistakes this winter.
BASIC SNOWPLOW TRAINING.
Do not try to push too much snow at once. Your truck and plow are not a front-end loader. Stay on top of the storm so you only push an inch or two at a time. It takes longer and is harder on the equipment to push more than two inches at a time.
Always keep the main roads on the site clear and sanded. Let the unused parking lots and non-critical areas go longer, if necessary.
Work with the shovelers – not against them. Sidewalks and entrances receive pedestrian traffic that makes shoveling extremely important. Anything a plow driver can do to facilitate safe walkways will benefit the company. Don’t pile snow onto sidewalks and stairs that shovelers are going to remove anyway. Whenever possible, clear snow away for shovelers. What a plow can do in 30 seconds will take a shoveler 20 minutes.
When plowing main roads or entrances, start in the middle of the road and push outward to both sides. If cars are parked in these areas, try not to plow the cars in whenever possible. Use a straight blade plow along the care. It may take a few minutes longer, but clients will be happier if the axels of their cars are not under three feet of snow.
Be systematic. If you plow the same lot or driveway every storm, do it the same way each time. You may find quicker and easier ways as you work; however, a sever storm is no time to test your theories. Always plow with the safest and fastest possible method you are sure of.
Plow curb to curb. Don’t leave snow two feet out from the curb. It’s shabby work and reduces the safe driving lane for the client. Do the best job possible every time.
Know the specifics of the job. Talk to the facility manager of the site or the homeowner and ask them if there is anything you, as the plow driver, can do to make service better for everyone involved. Entrance gates, refuse containers, recycling bins, dumpsters, fire hydrants, mailboxes, etc., should all be cleared. You should know where they are and how the client wants snow removal in those areas to be handled.
Sand or salt parking lots and roadways when it will be effective. There is no sense in spreading sand when the storm is delivering 1½ inches of snow per hour.
Do not plow out the entrances and exits into the adjacent street. This becomes a hazard to street traffic and yourself.
Always be professional. Do your job safely, neatly and completely. Don’t leave spill-offs in the middle of the parking lots. Complete curb-to-curb touch-ups should be routine at the end of every storm. And, always check the entire site before you leave, making sure everything is clear and safe for traffic.
When plowing, back up as little as possible. Most accidents happen while backing up.
When plowing in major storms, if you cannot leave the property and you must sleep in your truck, always make sure the tailpipe is cleared. Also, ensure that you have a full tank of gas in case gas stations in the area close.
Always contact the property managers while plowing to give them a progress report. Many homeowners call them with questions because they like to know what is going on (e.g., “We’re finished with the driveway now, sidewalks should be done by 5 a.m.).
Always make sure you have all the supplies you may need including flashlight, fuses, extra plow pins and ice scrapers.
PLOW DON’TS
Don’t pile snow in front of or on: - Doorways - Sidewalks - Loading Docks - Shrubs (especially evergreens) - Fire Hydrants - Steps - Vehicles - Garage Entrances - Garage Dumpsters - Buildings and Signs
Don’t pile any snow at driveway entrances. Drivers of all vehicles must be able to see oncoming traffic.
Don’t push snow back onto soft ground without ensuring that the plow is up. Ground that is not frozen is very susceptible to plow damage.
Don’t push snow across the street.
Don’t leave snow clumps or windrows.
Don’t push now up against fences.
Don’t leave the plow in the UP position when the vehicle is parked.
Don’t push snow piles back so far that your truck gets stuck in a snow bank.
Don’t leave without authorization from your supervisor and always “sign off” using a two-way radio.
Don’t go home without making arrangements that your equipment will be ready for the next storm.
PLOW DOS.
Do report to work as soon as you can after being called in.
Do, if brining a meal, have it ready in advance.
Do be sure to dress warmly and bring extra water-repellent clothing.
Do carry a watch, pen and necessary paperwork
Do carry sufficient money. You may be out for 24 hours and need coffee, food, toll money or fuel.
Do carry your pager at ALL TIMES and be sure batteries are in good condition.
Do know the forecast – it may have a big impact on how you plan your schedule.
Do plan activities around unexpected snow storms.
Do carry a basic set of tools in your truck.
Do keep chatter on the business radio to a minimum. Short and to-the-point is always best.
Do ask questions when it doubt; no one is expected to know everything.
Do check over your truck (including lights and fluids) well in advance of expected snow and leave time for repairs.
Do carry two snow shovels in your truck.
Do be courteous to pedestrians and other vehicles on the road.
Do report any personal and physical damage immediately by filling out an accident/damage report.
Do report “any damage caused by others” that you see. It is always best to be on the offensive.
Do pay attention to your paperwork; fill out plowing hours, sanding times, shoveling times and loader work correctly at the beginning and end of each job. Be sure to include all materials used on each individual job site.
Do, after each snow storm, list equipment repairs on the board or log right away – don’t wait until the next day.
Do instruct subcontractors to be conscientious concerning snow-related damage.
Do shut your business radio off when you return to the yard or if you take the truck home.
Do get plenty of rest before the next storm.
Do USE YOUR BEST JUDGEMENT AT ALL TIMES.
SAVE A TRANSMISSION.
Don’t use your truck in place of a loader.
Don’t shift from forward to reverse or vice-versa until the truck has come to a complete stop.
Don’t shift the truck into park until the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
DO NOT plow in overdrive
Check transmission fluid only if the engine is running and only on level ground.
DO NOT try to get yourself out of a snow bank if you are stuck – call for another truck to pull you out.
