Best Practices for Commercial Snow Removal in Wichita – A Must-Read for Business Owners
To most of us, snow and ice are a relatively minor inconvenience. When it snows, people shovel the walkway, clean off their cars, and move on with their days. It is a chore most people can handle. Some even ignore snow for a day or two before clearing it out.
However, for business and commercial property owners, snow is not a personal problem. It is a potential safety issue that puts your customers and workforce at risk. Ignoring the problem can lead to a much bigger problem.
Without commercial snow removal, an employee or customer may slip and incur a severe injury. Or a driver may slide and hit another vehicle parked in your lot. Either one of these scenarios may result in legal action being taken against property ownership.
In Wichita, property owners are legally obligated to keep their sidewalks free of snow, ice, earth, trash, and other debris. If not maintained, they run the risk of being fined by the city. In this blog, we will explore our top tips for commercial snow removal in Wichita so that pedestrians stay safe and you mitigate the risk of an incident occurring on your property. Additionally, we will provide information on where you can book professional snow removal near you in the Wichita area.
Keep an Eye on the Forecast and Do Your Prep Work
Snow should not be a surprise to anyone. We have the luxury of multiple meteorologists reporting on what the week’s weather will be on a daily basis. As a commercial property owner, you should have a snow and ice removal plan firmly in place before the first snowflake falls for the season.
Identify key areas that require immediate attention, like entrances, walkways, and parking lots. Additionally, you should get your ducks in a row in terms of resources. If you are not shoveling and salting the property yourself, you must have your snow removal team on standby ready to go.
Invest in Equipment
You can save yourself a lot of time and effort simply by investing in the right equipment for the job. The best commercial snow removal products to consider include snow blowers, extra-wide shovels, and de-icing materials.
If your commercial property sits on a large lot, that puts you in snowplow territory. You will need a powerful truck that has been outfitted with a snowplow upgrade. Depending on your selection, putting a snowplow on the truck costs between $1,500 and $4,000. It is a pricey business expense, but you will be glad you have it when it starts snowing.
If these upfront costs aren’t appealing, or if you simply don’t have the time to take care of snow, rely on professionals to help.
Always Focus on the High Traffic Areas First
The approach to commercial snow removal is different from business to business; however, one universal best practice is to always address the high traffic areas first. Anywhere a person walks to access your building should be cleared away and liberally salted first. After that, you can address the less trafficked areas so they do not get bogged down in snow.
Be Smart About Where You Deposit Snow
Commercial snow removal in Wichita is tricky during big blizzards. Not only will your snowplow need to make multiple passes through your lot, but snow depositing must be worked into the game plan. Remember, plowing does not eliminate snow – it moves it.
With that in mind, you should determine ahead of time which areas of the property are designated deposit areas. Ideally, these areas are on the edge of your property line and away from foot traffic. Be sure your plower does not block any sidewalks or streets, as those legally must remain clear.
Document Your Commercial Snow Removal
Snow-related accidents and injuries happen all the time. Should one occur on your property, it is important that you can prove your organization performed commercial snow removal. This means documenting the work that was done, who performed it, and what time the work was completed.
If someone ever attempts to file a lawsuit about a snow-related accident or injury, you will have the documentation in place to show the necessary work was performed in a timely fashion. Additionally, consider installing security cameras that monitor the property if you haven not already done so. As a business owner, you can never have too many records.
How to Secure Commercial Snow Removal in Wichita
Effective snow and ice removal are not just about convenience; it is a matter of safety and risk management for commercial properties. By following these tips and best practices, you can create a well-organized and proactive snow removal plan that keeps your premises accessible and secure during winter's coldest months.
However, not every business has the capital to invest in the human resources and equipment it takes to get the job done right. If you are searching for professional snow removal near you, the team at Meadowlark Landscape & Design have the resources and the manpower to clear the lots, walkways, and other high traffic areas of your Wichita business.
Although we are best known for beautifying and maintaining the landscapes of Wichita homeowners with our landscaping and hardscaping services, we do not take winters off. Instead, we address weather-related challenges that affect local business owners.
Because commercial snow removal varies in size and scope, not every job costs the same. To get a quote, call us at (316) 880-0227 during regular business hours. After we collect a couple pieces of information about the property, we can provide an approximate quote for commercial snow removal. You can also reach us using the contact form on our website.