Difference between revisions of "Preparing for winter operations for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance"
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Check the [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/road-salt-and-water-quality MPCA website] to find out about upcoming training opportunities. | Check the [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/road-salt-and-water-quality MPCA website] to find out about upcoming training opportunities. | ||
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| + | ===Getting prepared for winter=== | ||
| + | *Calculate the area of the parking lots, service roads, and sidewalks. | ||
| + | *Understand the environmental problems caused by snow, salt, and sand storage. Determine where and how to best store each item. | ||
| + | *Understand the properties of various deicers, and then select the type(s) to use. | ||
| + | *Train the crew on proper application rates. | ||
| + | *Mark islands, fire hydrants, and other landmarks that could be obscured by snow. | ||
| + | *Note existing conditions of curbs and other items that might be damaged by winter maintenance activities. | ||
| + | *Note or mark all catch basins, manholes, sidewalk segments that may cause a hazard to the plow and the operator. | ||
Revision as of 16:42, 22 February 2016
Policies/Plans
Start now—develop a maintenance policy or plan that guides winter operations. A little planning and communication up-front can help achieve better results throughout the season.
- Develop a maintenance policy or plan.
- Review the maintenance policy with the crew.
- Inform customers of the maintenance policy.
- In the plan:
- list the key actions to take during a winter event
- list the order of these actions
- address the level of service
- consider customer expectations, the hours and use of the building, priority access points and environmental concerns in the policy
- spell out any additional strategies such as routes, chemicals, application rate ranges etc.
- Follow the plan.
- Document actions.
- Review and update the maintenance policy each year.
Our waters are threatened by contracts which are based on fees for material use. This encourages overuse of materials.
Reduce liability. Establish a maintenance policy and follow it.
Training
Reduce risk by having a solid written winter maintenance policy and training program that utilizes best management practices. Schedule training for supervisors, staff, and customers.
The MPCA has three Smart Salting training classes available:
- Level 1 Winter maintenance of roads
- Level 1 Winter maintenance of parking lots/sidewalks
- Level 2 winter maintenance training for supervisory staff
Check the MPCA website to find out about upcoming training opportunities.
Getting prepared for winter
- Calculate the area of the parking lots, service roads, and sidewalks.
- Understand the environmental problems caused by snow, salt, and sand storage. Determine where and how to best store each item.
- Understand the properties of various deicers, and then select the type(s) to use.
- Train the crew on proper application rates.
- Mark islands, fire hydrants, and other landmarks that could be obscured by snow.
- Note existing conditions of curbs and other items that might be damaged by winter maintenance activities.
- Note or mark all catch basins, manholes, sidewalk segments that may cause a hazard to the plow and the operator.