Businesses in Langley and the surrounding areas often have to contend with snow during the winter. It can be a real problem for businesses, as they may see decreased foot traffic or even closure due to an accumulation of snow. A professional snow removal company will make sure that your business is open and ready for customers, no matter how much snow falls!
In this post, we will discuss the bylaws and legalities of snow removal for businesses, the benefits of contracting a professional company, tips for choosing a reputable service provider, and options for snow removal in Langley.
Why should a business consider snow removal services?
Winter is here and with it the possibility of snow. While a little snow can be beautiful, too much can cause major problems for businesses. That’s why business owners in Langley should consider contracting a professional snow removal company during the winter season. Even a trace of snow might seriously impact businesses, such as fewer customers, preventable accidents, and even outright closure.
When it comes to snow removal, there are a few things to consider. First, businesses need to be aware of any bylaws or regulations regarding snow removal in their municipality. Some areas require businesses to clear sidewalks and parking lots, while others prohibit the use of salt or other chemicals on public property.
Businesses should also be aware of the potential liability risks associated with snow and ice. If a customer slips and falls on your property, you could be held liable. This is why it’s so important to have a plan in place for dealing with snow and ice.
Finally, businesses need to consider the impact that not removing snow and ice will have on their operations.
Bylaws and Legalities for Businesses
In Langley, there are a few bylaws and regulations businesses need to be aware of when it comes to snow removal. As per the Township of Langley’s Highway and Traffic Bylaw, No. 4758. Properties zone commercial or industrial are responsible for clearing their sidewalks of snow and ice by 10:00 AM the same day.
This is not to be confused with residential requirements of clearing snow and ice within 24 hours of snow accumulation. Confusion between the two bylaw requirements can result in a business being fined.
For a business, the legalities of snow and ice are far more complex, and important than the snow removal itself. A 2022 BC Court of Appeal ruling found if an individual slips & falls on a homeowner’s property, the homeowner does not owe a “general duty of care to take reasonable care with respect to the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property.”. However, it has been established that businesses are the exception.
Businesses that fail to clear a portion of the sidewalk they effectively use as a corridor to bring customers into their store, may be held liable, as they would be considered an occupier of public space.
As the precedent for what a “portion” is, of a business’s property has yet to be set in court, this leads to a legal grey area in terms of snow removal. The best strategy to safeguard your business is to consult a professional winter service provider that is able to offer an expert opinion on the legalities of winter.
The benefits of contracting a professional company
When it comes to snow removal, professional services are always the best option. There are several reasons why business owners should consider contracting a professional company:
Expertise: A professional service provider will have the expertise and experience to deal with any conditions winter may deliver while limiting your business’s risk of personal injury lawsuits. They will have the proper equipment and understanding to operate it safely and efficiently.
Time: A professional winter service provider will be able to remove the snow quickly and efficiently, allowing your company to resume operations as soon as possible.
Safety: Improper snow removal may result in very hazardous situations if not done carefully. A professional company will have the training and experience to do the job correctly, so that you, your employees, and customers are able to access your business establishment worry-free.
Reliability: A service provider that is professional will be able to provide reliable snow removal services, even if in the worse winter conditions.
Tips for choosing a snow removal service
When it comes time to choose a snow removal service, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Experience: Make sure to choose a service provider that is experienced in dealing with snow, and understands the risks your business faces during the winter months.
Equipment: Make sure the company has the proper snow removal equipment, in operating order to meet the requirements of your property, with an adequate EPR (Equipment to Property Ratio) Ratio.
Safety: Choose a company with a clean safety record and proper insurance coverage for snow removal. A professional provider will have policies and procedures in place to ensure that your property is properly cleared and left in a safe state.
Price: Get quotes from several different companies to find the best price for the services you need. A low quote may indicate that a provider does not have the experience or expertise in winter services and may put your business into liability.
Snow removal services in Langley
There are a number of reputable companies in Langley that provide winter services, from small to large. With over 30 years of experience, Snow Queen is one of the most reputable snow removal and ice management companies in Langley. We offer our winter services to commercial, retail, and industrial businesses, providing customized service, and liability mitigation strategies to high-traffic properties. Our dedicated Langley service yard allows us to provide quick and efficient snow removal and salting services.
Request a quote today
In summary
Snow removal is a vital service for businesses during the winter season. A professional snow removal company can help you avoid personal injury lawsuits, clear your property quickly and safely, and provide reliable services no matter what the winter weather conditions are like. When it comes time to choose a snow removal company, make sure to consider the company’s experience, equipment, safety record, and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a company is reputable?
A reputable winter service provider will be willing to provide you with an up-to-date copy of their insurance policy. A reputable provider will be associated with a winter service organization such as SIMA or ASCA.
How can I ensure my property is safe after the snow has been removed?
A professional provider will ensure their ground crews understand the scope of work, and service area extensively, while also documenting completed work.
Will the provider clear my sidewalks and parking lot?
A provider will only clear what they are contracted to clear based on a service area scope. However, a professional service provider will explain to the customer the risks involved with not servicing a particular area. It is common practice for a provider to be contracted to clear sidewalks and parking lots.
Slips & falls are the leading cause of workplace injuries and combined with winter weather conditions, it’s important to take proactive steps to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place.
A professional snow removal service is one way to help keep your employees safe and productive during this winter season. By keeping walkways, parking lots, and stairs clear of ice and snow, you can drastically reduce the chances of someone slipping and injuring themselves.
Not only will this save you money in lost productivity, but it could also help you avoid higher premiums from insurance companies or unnecessary lawsuits.
Not all Slip & Falls are equal
Slip and falls are a common occurrence in the workplace, with slips and falls being particularly prevalent in the winter months. While both types of accidents happen for a variety of reasons, there are some key distinctions between the two that employers should be aware of.
Slip and falls can occur at any time but are more likely to happen when surfaces are wet. In contrast, winter-related slips and falls typically occur when people walk on surfaces covered with ice or snow that have yet to be cleared. This is because slips and trips tend to happen when people lose their balance, or most commonly in the workplace, their vision is obscured by carrying an object.
While slip and falls in winter are often a result of icy or slushy conditions on a business premise that an employer has neglected. Winter-related slips & falls also come with far more legal weight than ‘regular’ slip and fall accidents would due to liability.
The leader of workplace injuries during the winter
Data has shown that 25% of all workplace injuries are the result of a slip and fall, with that percentage increasing when winter arrives. Obviously, in Vancouver, the occasional, and unpredictable snowfall we experience can make it a challenge for businesses to budget for snow removal. This may leave certain businesses not budgeting at all for winter services, which result in employees being put into a risky situation, leading to a slip & fall.
A Common Workplace Scenario
A typical scenario sees employees arriving to work in the morning after an overnight snowfall, they are presented with a hazardous situation; their business establishments property is blanked with fresh snow. The first shift may be able to safely access the entrance, with an abundance of caution. However, property conditions will only worsen throughout the day as foot traffic increases and temperatures dip.
The shift supervisor instructs an employee to grab a snow shovel, and start clearing snow. As the employee is clearing snow from entrance way stairs, a customer arrives at the business and uses a pathway that has been previously used by staff but has yet to be cleared of snow.
As the customer walks to the entrance, they slip on compact slush, and while bracing for their fall, they injure their wrist. The employee clearing snow witnesses the customer slip & fall and rushes over to assist, however, in haste the employee slips on the partially cleared stairs twisting their ankle.
Two injuries, one big legal mess
Two injuries; one being a potential personal injury lawsuit, and the second being an employee out on workers’ compensation. This is a very real scenario that could happen at any business during the winter season.
What does this mean for businesses?
The cost of not having a proactive plan in place for dealing with winter weather conditions can be significant. In addition to the dangers posed to employees and customers, your business could be subject to legal action if someone is injured on your property. If you are found to be negligent in maintaining a safe environment, you could be facing a personal injury lawsuit. Even if you win the case, the legal fees can be astronomical.
More Than Just Clearing Snow
For a business, it’s not as simple as having an employee remove snow or de-ice the premise. There are many factors that a business should consider when it comes to snow removal; liability exposure and expertise being the most important.
Risk & Complexities
When an employer instructs an employee to perform snow removal, it exposes the business to not only skirting WorkSafe BC regulations but also puts the business in jeopardy, as a non-winter service-based business would not have a snow removal insurance policy.
If a slip & fall were to occur on the business premise and a case was brought before the court, there is a high likelihood that the court would side with the plaintiff as the business failed to hire a professional snow removal provider. The business could be out of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Snow removal is often thought of as a straightforward process, but snow removal involves many aspects that are often overlooked, such as chemical compounds used in de-icing, plow specifications for property type, and a thorough understanding of the legalities of winter.
The solution: A Professional
The solution is simple, to best protect your employees from slip & fall injuries at work in the winter is to hire a professional company that offers snow removal services. A professional winter service company has the expertise and insurance coverage needed to reduce the risk of slips and falls during the winter.
Conclusion
As mentioned hiring a professional snow removal company is the best way to protect your employees from slip & fall injuries at work in the winter, and keep personal injury lawyers at bay. Yes, snow removal is a complex process, and depending on the year it can be quite costly for a small business but it’s important to make sure your business is taking the necessary precautions to protect employees and customers from potential injuries.
Snow Queen Winter Management is a professional winter service company with over 30 years of combined experience, offering snow removal, ice management, and liability mitigation services to properties across the Lower Mainland. We have the expertise and insurance coverage needed to safely clear your property of snow and ice.
For a free quote, please call us at 604-359-8895 or request a quote directly.