Winter doesn’t just slow projects down—it adds a whole new layer of risk. Snow and ice can turn a normal workday into a minefield of slip hazards, hidden obstacles, and overexertion injuries.
This Winter Toolbox Talk #1 focuses on safe snow clearing practices so your crews can keep job sites accessible and productive, without sacrificing safety.
This article is part of our Winter Toolbox Talks series for construction and trades companies, designed to give foremen, safety managers, and owners short, practical training tools they can use all season long.
Snow buildup on a construction site doesn’t just look messy, it can:
Hide materials, holes, and uneven ground
Create slippery walking and driving surfaces
Add strain to workers’ backs, shoulders, and hearts
Increase the risk of equipment-related injuries
Poor snow management can lead to slips, trips, falls, sprains, and strains, as well as incidents involving snow blowers and other equipment.
A clear site is a safer site and it starts with the right equipment, PPE, and techniques.
Choosing the right equipment for the job makes snow clearing faster and safer.
For large parking lots, access roads, or staging areas, snow blowers can clear snow quickly and reduce physical strain. Make sure that:
Only trained workers operate snow blowers
Operators understand safety shut-offs and emergency stops
No one places hands or feet near moving parts at any time
For stairs, narrow walkways, or tight spaces, ergonomic shovels are your best option. Train workers to:
Shovel small amounts at a time
Use a pushing motion instead of lifting whenever possible
Switch sides or hand positions to reduce repetitive strain
Footwear is a critical part of your snow removal “equipment.” Workers should wear boots with deep treads and good traction to reduce slip and fall risks on snow and ice.
Snow removal is often treated as a quick chore, but it should be treated like any other task with defined PPE requirements.
Make sure your crews are equipped with:
Insulated gloves and hats – to protect against cold and wet conditions
Eye protection – goggles or safety glasses to guard against blowing snow, ice chips, and debris
High-visibility outerwear – bright, reflective clothing so workers are visible in low light, snow, and around equipment and vehicles
This PPE not only keeps workers more comfortable, it directly reduces the risk of serious incidents.
Safe technique is just as important as the equipment itself.
Before starting snow removal, workers should:
Inspect snow blowers and other equipment for ice buildup or damage
Check guards, shut-offs, and controls
Confirm that paths are as clear as possible of loose materials or debris
To prevent strains and back injuries:
Push snow instead of lifting whenever possible
If lifting is required, bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and hold the load close to the body
Take smaller shovelfuls instead of trying to move heavy, packed snow at once
Snow can hide hazards like cords, tools, uneven ground, or rebar ends. Workers should:
Move slowly and deliberately
Be mindful of slopes, edges, and changes in elevation
Communicate clearly when working around vehicles and equipment
Snow removal may seem simple, but the injury profile is serious if not managed well:
Slips and falls on snow and ice-covered surfaces
Muscle strain and overexertion from heavy shoveling
Equipment-related injuries from improper use of snow blowers or contact with moving parts
Encourage workers to take regular breaks, especially in very cold weather, and to report fatigue, pain, or unsafe conditions early.
Here’s how you can implement this toolbox talk across your sites:
Play the Clearing Snow Safely video during morning huddles or weekly safety meetings
Use the key sections above as your talking points
Establish and post snow clearing responsibilities and PPE requirements at each site
Document that the talk was delivered as part of your safety program
Clearing snow is just the first step in a comprehensive winter safety program. Our Winter Toolbox Talks playlist on the Safety Evolution YouTube channel covers topics like:
Cold stress
Frostbite and hypothermia
Frost safety for materials and equipment
Ice storm preparation
Preparing for snow and frigid temperatures
👉 Visit the Safety Evolution YouTube channel to see the full Winter Toolbox Playlist and share it with your supervisors and crews.
To support your winter safety meetings, we’ve created a Winter Toolbox Package that includes:
Printable winter toolbox talks
Supervisor and crew checklists
Simple prompts to guide safety conversations
Download the Winter Toolbox Package and standardize winter safety across all your projects.
At Safety Evolution, we support construction and trades companies with:
Safety professional services – Experienced safety professionals to help you design and implement winter safety plans, snow clearing procedures, and site-specific controls.
Training and toolbox talks – Practical, field-ready safety training resources you can use in meetings, onboarding, and ongoing coaching.
Safety software – A platform to manage inspections, incidents, training records, and safety metrics across multiple projects and locations.
If you’re managing crews across multiple sites or regions, partnering with Safety Evolution helps you standardize your winter safety approach, reduce incidents, and protect both your people and your schedule.
👉 Learn more about our safety services, training, and software at www.safetyevolution.com
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