Snow Management Strategies Businesses Leverage To Save Time and Money

Winter always has that ‘special’ feel to it, especially around Christmas time. But that ‘magical’ time often feels like a nightmare for businesses. And it isn’t just because of the extremely high demand for goods and overcrowded stores. 

It’s the snow that’s the main culprit this time round.

In places where winters are packed with heavy snow and ice, businesses must take action to plan ahead of time.

And this has much to do with reducing liability (and increasing safety) and controlling expenses.

Below, we’ll go over a number of management strategies businesses commonly use when there’s a lot of snow.

Why Snow Management Matters

• Safety/risk mitigation: As already mentioned, safety is a top concern, and while we would like to say that it’s just because businesses care, it’s mostly because of liability, which can be extremely costly. Slip-and-fall incidents and ice-related accidents create legal responsibility and insurance claims, which is why frequent clearing, de-icing, monitoring, and prevention are all very much required.
• Continuity: Whenever sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways get blocked, the employees and customers (as well as suppliers) are stuck/prevented from doing their jobs. Main access routes need to be clear of obstruction to help ensure business operation continues (smoothly).
• Cost management: By waiting until snow accumulation (aka ‘reactive snow removal’) tends to be more costly.

4 Useful Snow Management Strategies

These four strategies are most cost-effective and are prime examples of how to deal with snow in a long-term, sustainable way:

Plan Ahead

Secure contracts early, even if you don’t know how much snow there’ll be, or how harsh the winter is going to be. It’s always good to have a stockpile of salt in storage, as well as snow shovels. In terms of contracts, it’s best to plan for medium snow (in areas where there’s regular snow during winter periods). 

In case the amount of snow increases, then go for a reactive strategy. If you don’t secure at least some snow removal beforehand, you’re risking two things: high rates and no service available.

Have equipment available

Snow season is tough on machinery and equipment. 

Do preventive maintenance, replace worn-out equipment, and maintain backup equipment available if something breaks down. Vehicle-fleet companies should also train operators to keep downtime minimized when the snow hits. 

Invest in multi-purpose attachments

Don’t buy equipment with only seasonal use, because businesses can have long-term savings by purchasing attachments that can be used throughout the year. 

Equipment that can be used not only in the winter but also for tasks when it’s warmer maximizes utilization and stretches budgets.

Utilize technology and strategic deployment

Use the most advanced forecasting tools to forecast storms and plan operations according to that. 

Spread a de-icing product in risky locations (ideally) before ice forms. Map out the terrain and mark shaded areas or areas that have drainage issues – these can easily cause recurring ice.

Early staff deployment, as well as materials, saves cleanup time and prevents costly accidents.

When the Right Attachment Matters

When your business does snow removal, especially on owned land or campuses, the choice of the most effective blade or pusher becomes one of the highest leverage points of efficiency, especially for places that have regular snow during winter.

Having or purchasing a snow blade for a compact tractor is a very cost-saving strategy. Renting one is also an option, but with renting, you’re at risk of not having one available when the need arises, plus the rates will be higher as demand increases. Since you’re dealing with snow each year, you already have a tractor. And having the sun as an attachment goes hand in hand. Even if you own a skid steer, there are attachments available. 

Having your own enables you to have the option on demand as soon as it’s needed.

Pro tip: even if you don’t have a tractor or a skid steer, and you don’t have the budget to buy one, even renting them for the day can be a viable strategy. But do keep in mind that ‘reactive’ action has the disadvantage of no equipment being available (all are already rented out or sold).

The following are the most important things to think about when getting the attachment:

• Blade width relative to the area you want to clear
• Mount adjustment and angle adjustability
• *Material (steel, carbide, etc.) for longevity; if you’re renting, this isn’t important.
• *Integration with your existing equipment; only if you have a tractor/skid steer

Budgeting: Costs vs. Savings

*Costs are different depending on the region, climate, and other factors. 

Where Strategy Meets Technology

Modern tools can make the use of these strategies even stronger and better:

• Weather-prediction software/apps: With alerts, you can pre-position materials or schedule crews.
• Sensors & IoT: Ice sensors on surfaces are helping to take preventive action.
• Drone (aerial) imaging: To have a better look at large properties to find trouble spots, such as drifts/shaded areas, more easily.

Conclusion

If a business has to deal with snow year after year, then the best strategy is to have the means to deal with that snow available on demand. This way, they’re able to proactively deal with the situation. Work doesn’t suffer this way.

Snow management isn’t about reacting to a specific situation once it has already happened. Rather, it’s about preparing for more (possible) situations in advance and having actions in place to deal with them as soon as possible.