Winter can bring scenic beauty, but for business owners, it also brings unique challenges—particularly when it comes to snow and ice management. Snowstorms can disrupt daily operations, present safety hazards, and threaten your business’s efficiency. While it might seem like a quick fix to hand a snow shovel to one of your staff members, turning to your employees for snow removal instead of hiring professionals can lead to costly and even dangerous outcomes.
Here’s why a professional snow removal service is the safer, smarter choice for your business.
Risks to Employee Safety and Morale
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Snow and ice removal are among the riskiest tasks employees can undertake. According to OSHA, slips, trips, and falls during snow removal—especially from elevated surfaces like rooftops—are leading causes of workplace injuries. Without adequate training, proper equipment, or safety materials, workers face unnecessary danger, all in the name of saving a few dollars.
2. Cold Stress
Your employees likely aren’t equipped to work in freezing temperatures. Cold stress—a serious hazard that includes injuries like frostbite, trench foot, or even hypothermia—can occur when someone isn’t properly dressed or prepared for prolonged exposure to icy conditions. This risk is particularly high for office workers who didn’t anticipate working outdoors in extreme weather.
3. Illness and Exhaustion
Physically demanding tasks like snow shoveling can cause exhaustion, back injuries, dehydration, or, in extreme cases, heart attacks. If your employees become sick or injured due to these unexpected and strenuous tasks, your operations will stall, and business productivity will suffer.
4. Low Morale and High Turnover
Putting employees into uncomfortable or hazardous situations outside the scope of their job description can lead to dissatisfaction and resentment. Word might spread about your company forcing staff to perform physical labor they didn’t sign up for, making it harder to retain team members and attract new hires.
The Legal and Financial Risks of DIY Snow Removal
1. Legal Liabilities
If an employee is injured while removing snow on your property, you could face significant legal consequences, especially if snow removal isn’t listed in their job responsibilities. Additionally, if a client or customer slips and injures themselves due to inadequate snow management, your business (and not the employee managing the snow) will face potential legal action.
2. Increased Costs
Having your employees handle snow removal comes with hidden expenses. You might need to pay them overtime or bring them in outside of regular hours. Additionally, untrained workers may inadvertently cause property damage—such as cracking concrete with improper deicer usage or damaging landscaping—leading to costly repairs.
3. Damage to Your Property
Using the wrong tools or materials to manage snow and ice can harm your property. For example, deicers with high sodium chloride content can erode concrete, kill plants, and even corrode metal. By trying to cut corners on snow removal, you could face hefty repair bills when spring rolls around.
Why Professional Snow Removal is the Smarter Choice
1. Speed and Efficiency
Professional snow removal companies come equipped with the expertise and tools to handle even the worst winter conditions quickly and effectively. They’ll clear your property much faster than employees can, ensuring your business stays accessible and safe for customers.
2. Proper Training and Equipment
Snow removal professionals are trained specifically for winter hazards and understand how to safely manage snow and ice without risking injury or damage. Equipped with commercial-grade plows, push spreaders, and skid steers, their tools are far superior to a basic shovel.
3. Insurance and Accountability
Reputable snow removal companies are fully insured and licensed, meaning any damages or accidents during the job are their responsibility—not yours. This provides peace of mind knowing any issues will be resolved efficiently and professionally.
The Added Benefits of Experts
Professional snow removal services don’t just save you time and money—they also improve your business’s image by keeping your property safe and well-maintained. A clean, safely managed storefront or office not only prevents accidents but also gives clients and customers a positive first impression.