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Snow Removal Safety

Moving snow is heavy work, often done with equipment, in poor light and in the cold. A calm plan prevents injuries.

Why is snow removal risky?

It combines physical strain, cold exposure, slippery footing and equipment hazards. People of every age can be hurt, especially when they rush to clear a lot before animals, school or work.

Some people are at greater risk from heavy exertion in the cold. Ask your clinician whether strenuous snow work is safe for you.

The people most likely to be hurt are those who push too hard: the farm owner on a tight schedule, a teenager eager to help, a neighbor who wants to be useful. Set a pace that anyone can keep up with.

• Strain and cold exposure together
• Slippery footing
• Equipment hazards
• Heavy exertion in cold strains the heart

How do you plan the job?

Check the forecast, decide what must be cleared and what can wait, and pick the safest times. Clear what is needed for animals, emergency access and travel first.

Dress in layers, take warm-up breaks and do not work alone if you can avoid it. Tell someone where you are and bring a phone.

Mark the edges of lanes, fence lines, culverts, ponds and equipment with stakes or flags before the snow comes, so a plow or blower operator can see them under a deep cover.

• Prioritize animal access and emergency routes
• Plan around daylight
• Take warm-up breaks
• Tell someone where you are working
• Daylight hours for exposed jobs
• Check forecasts before you start
• Warm-up place nearby

What equipment hazards should you know?

Tractors with blades or buckets, snow blowers, skid steers and ATVs with plows all carry hazards. Follow the equipment manual and never rely on memory for safety steps.

Poor visibility, buried objects and hidden hazards like culverts, ponds or low spots raise the risk. Know your property and mark hazards before the snow comes.

• Follow the equipment manual
• Mark culverts and ponds before snow
• Keep children and pets clear

How do you avoid slips and falls?

Wear footwear with good traction, take short steps, use handrails and keep walkways clear. Be careful where snow melts and refreezes.

Avoid carrying heavy loads over icy ground, and treat paths when possible, following product directions.

Slow down when tired or cold.

• Good traction footwear
• Handrails and short steps
• Slow down when tired
• Spread treatments as the product directs
• Check walkways again after melting and refreezing

What about cold and overexertion?

Heavy exertion in the cold strains the body. Warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or unusual weakness are medical emergencies. Call 911.

Pace yourself, rest often and stop when you feel unwell. Snow can wait.

Wear layers that you can adjust, take breaks indoors and drink fluids. Cold work can hide how much effort you are making.

• Chest pain: call 911
• Shortness of breath: call 911
• Dizziness or weakness: stop and seek help

What about roofs, power lines and buildings?

Do not go onto a snow-covered roof without proper training and equipment. Falls from roofs are serious. See our guidance on roof snow removal and consult a professional.

Stay clear of power lines when moving snow or using equipment. Call the utility if you see damaged lines.

Consider hiring a professional for roof work and for large jobs near power lines or steep ground, and verify credentials and insurance through proper channels.

• No roof work without training and equipment
• Stay clear of power lines
• Consider a qualified professional
• Ask a professional for roof work
• Keep children out of the work area

Where can you learn more?

OSHA, NIOSH, extension offices and the National Weather Service publish winter work safety information. Employer requirements vary by state, so confirm with OSHA and your state agency.

Equipment manufacturers' manuals are the authority on how to use each machine.

Keep a shovel, sand or ice-melt product where you need it, and follow product directions. Ask your extension office for guidance on materials that suit your surfaces and animals.

• OSHA and NIOSH winter work pages
• Equipment manufacturer manuals
• Your extension office

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.