Winter’s coming!
With colder-than-normal temperatures expected this year, businesses from Chilliwack to North Vancouver need to get ready for the frosty conditions. The unpredictability of these conditions underscores the need for businesses to be prepared well in advance, providing a sense of control over the situation.
According to the City of Vancouver website, property owners are required to keep their walkways and sidewalks free of snow and ice. This responsibility needs to be fulfilled by 10am each day. Failure to comply with city bylaws could result in fines of $250 and could go up to $750 if no action is taken within 24 hours of the initial infraction.
The potential financial implications and legal disputes that could arise from non-compliance highlight the urgency and seriousness of this responsibility.
Shovelling your property may not be much fun. Still, it’s much more desirable than challenging city fines or defending your reputation in court over an accidental slip and fall.
Duty of Care
Have you heard of the legal term “duty of care“? In Canadian law, this refers to a company’s obligation to take reasonable care to prevent harm from being inflicted on others. This responsibility applies to businesses of every size and industry.
Over the years, there have been court cases where people’s liability claims over icy conditions did not hold up in a court of law. But does any business really want to be drawn into a legal dispute? All it takes is one litigious person and their lawyer to state that a company failed to keep their premises “reasonably safe.”
Wind levels, moisture content in the air, and the temperature of the pavement or concrete all contribute to the possibility of ice on the ground. The conditions that lead to icy surfaces are often unpredictable and out of our control, whether due to freezing rain or a sudden drop in temperature.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t put a strategy in place to defend your property against ice and counteract its harmful effects.
As residents of B.C., we may not get as much snow and ice as the rest of Canada, but that doesn’t mean we are immune or unaware of the problems it can cause.
Ignoring the snow and ice on your property with the full knowledge of its potential for injury and other mishaps puts you and your operation in a risky position.
Reasonable Care
Rock salt, ice melt, or a sprayed brine solution are effective ice-reducing treatments. Timely snow removal is also essential for the prevention of ice buildup. Taking care of the sidewalk outside your business can be a big enough job for one person. The job becomes even more time-consuming when you throw in a parking lot, expansive entranceways, fire exits, and staircases.
Unless you can ensure you have all the necessary equipment and internal staff to oversee your snow removal and ice control measures, it’s advisable to book the services of a qualified exterior property contractor in the fall. This proactive step will ensure you have a reliable partner to manage these crucial tasks, giving you an added sense of security and confidence in your winter preparedness.
Proper signage warning people of potential slipping hazards (especially in areas that receive less sun) and ensuring you have suitable working outdoor lighting are other important considerations you need to be mindful of throughout the winter months. Carpet runners, heated mats, and designated pedestrian snow lanes can also be helpful.
As a business owner, hiring a third-party contractor for snow removal is one of the most responsible things you can do to protect the safety of your customers, staff, and property. Experienced snow removal and de-icing service providers can walk you through their best practices for a safe and worry-free season, relieving you of the burden of managing these tasks yourself.
Ice Control Measures
There’s a lot more involved in ice control and snow removal than you may think.
First off, as a business owner, you need a comprehensive maintenance plan. This strategy should outline who is responsible for which duties. Outdoor winter cleanups to prevent ice buildup necessitate the following:
- Weather Monitoring
- Assigning pre-treatments, snow clearing, anti-icing, and wetting treatments (rock salt, brine) as required
- Prioritizing specific areas
- Ensuring the working condition of all necessary equipment
- Stockpiling the correct supplies
- Providing safety training for outdoor crews
- Establishing guidelines for excess snow placement
- Verifying that traffic sight lines, fire hydrants, valves, drainage inlets, and downspout areas aren’t covered or blocked with snow
- Monitoring property for any related winter damage
- Dealing with snow dams on roofs or buildup on awnings
- Maintaining documentation (snow logs) of all snow removal and ice control activities at your commercial location
As you can see, the physical act of snow and ice removal is only one part of the job.
Documentation
In the same way you would document the circumstances surrounding a medical emergency at your business location, you are wise to keep a secure record of your outdoor maintenance throughout the winter months.
That way, should any slip and fall or other allegations concerning the state of your outdoor property arise, you’ll have an official reference. This documentation should include details on the weather conditions, when the maintenance was performed, what was done, who carried out the work, and any other notes.
Anything you can do to ensure your due diligence and avoid claims of negligence is worth the extra bit of housekeeping. As a property owner, you’re not just protecting yourself against lawsuits; you’re also looking out for the well-being of your customers—especially those elderly members of the public who are more susceptible to falls—and all staff members working on site.
Insurance and Liability
Generally speaking, slips and falls are covered by a business’s commercial general liability insurance. Whether you’re a prominent retailer or a mom-and-pop operation, you need to have some form of insurance to cover you in the event that someone is injured or property damage occurs at your location.
How big an issue is negligence stemming from a slip and fall on ice in Canada? To give you an idea, many insurance companies across the country offer snow removal insurance. This insurance defends maintenance contractors and offers small businesses financial protection against any related third-party claims filed based on the quality of their service (or lack thereof).
If your business is considering hiring a contractor for snow removal and ice control, you’ll want to find out more about that company’s guarantees, insurance coverage, and everything that’s included in their service agreement.
- Ask about their credentials and experience.
- Make sure you understand the service provider’s response times, payment terms, and the specified conditions for snow accumulations and de-icing that would prompt a visit.
- Inquire about the type of equipment they use and the de-icing materials they deploy.
- Express any particular concerns you may have about local regulations, avoiding property damage, and public safety.
- Choose contractors who offer clear communication and timely updates on their work.
Although it is the contractor’s job to eliminate the threat of ice and snow to prevent liability claims, it is the responsibility of the customer to find an operator they can trust.
Best Practices
Whether you’ve hired a company or you’re handling the snow and ice removal yourself, it’s essential to take a proactive approach. Here are some excellent pointers to keep in mind:
- Inspect your property regularly: Conduct frequent inspections of walkways, parking lots, and roofs to identify ice buildup, especially after a heavy snowfall. If you’ve hired a contractor to do the work. Make sure they’ve fulfilled their obligations as agreed to.
- Prepare before the blizzard: Use de-icing agents before a storm to prevent ice from bonding to surfaces. Use materials that are effective at low temperatures, such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.
- Don’t wait too long after it snows: Clear snow promptly to minimize compaction and ice formation.
- Ensure proper drainage: Look for signs of pooling water around your property that may indicate poor drainage.
- Add sand and grit: In addition to de-icers, consider using sand or grit for traction in areas where slips and falls are a concern.
- Talk to your contractor: If you’ve hired a contractor, find out what the contractor needs from you in order to do the best job.
Embrace Winter with Confidence
Will it be a white Christmas this year in Greater Vancouver? Given the chaotic and unpredictable weather patterns the province has experienced over the past few years, it’s anyone’s guess. But it’s nice to know that your company will be prepared should the white stuff suddenly start to fall.
When it comes to walking and driving, ice isn’t nice! Get the peace of mind you need by having a reliable contractor on standby. CanWest Property Services offers a comprehensive range of services to defend the appearance and safety of your property throughout the seasons. From ice control to pressure washing in the spring, one call or email message is all it takes to get a quote for your property.
Give yourself the gift of legal compliance and reassurance this upcoming holiday season. Book one of Greater Vancouver’s most trusted snow removal companies today!