Winters are a wonderland, especially in the colder states like New York, Vermont, and Maine. That beautiful blanket of snow conjures images of glühwein and hot cocoa and toasty firesides. But the truth is that icy and snowy conditions hold hazards.
While some falls result in a bruised ego, many falls on icy or snowy ground can lead to more serious injury. And you and your company may have to pay the piper for anyone injured on your company’s grounds. If your business is based in one of the freezing states, consider looking into commercial snow management.
The Dangers of Poorly Managed Ice and Snow Removal
You May Be Liable for Visitor and Customer Injuries
Winter conditions seriously affect outdoor safety. Business owners have a “duty of care” to ensure the safety of those in and on the premises. If someone slips and falls in icy weather, you can be faced with a hefty lawsuit or insurance claim, especially if the injury is serious. Having a commercial company take care of ice and snow on your premises can prevent you from having to pay out a substantial sum for your negligence.
You May Be Open to Employee Injury Claims
More than that, if your employees are hurt on your commercial property. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Safety Research analysed the statistics of ice and snow-related injury claims between 2016 and 2021 in Wisconsin. Their findings showed that the significantly high cost of ice or snow-related STF injuries.
These effects were not just expensive in terms of medical care but also resulted in lost time and industry, not to mention occupational distribution.
They also found that a third of these workers stayed off work for ten weeks or more. Furthermore, A total of 7,385 lost time claims were reported in only 5 years in Wisconsin alone, which represented over a third of all STF-injured employees.
You May Fall foul of Local Laws
Certain municipalities have ordinances that require business owners to clear snow and ice within a specified timeframe. If you fail to comply with these regulations, you may be fined or face legal penalties. Professional ice and snow removers will be up to date on municipal codes and reduce the risk of unexpected fines or penalties.
How a Commercial Snow and Ice Management Service Can Protect You and Your Business
Maintaining Business As Usual
Snowstorms can really slam the brakes on your everyday operations, particularly small businesses. Blocked entrances and walkways and snowed-in parking lots can cause your customers to head somewhere safer, costing you money.
According to a study by IHS Global Insight, just one storm with impassable roads can have a serious economic impact. According to their findings, just a one-day shutdown in NYC costs businesses a whopping $700.17 million, while Massachusetts loses $265 million. And these figures were from 2014, just imagine what the cost would be today?
Enables the Logistics Your Business Relies on
Heavy snowfall can wreak havoc on your business operations, such as receiving and performing deliveries. Icy conditions are also a nightmare for forklifts and other equipment to move around distribution centers and warehouses.
It Can Spare You the Time and Employee Allocation Headaches
Coordinating employees or struggling to find last-minute snow and ice removal services can be a huge headache. When you hire a commercial snow removal company, everything is taken care of for you.
Commercial Snow and Ice Management Can Protect Your Property
Heavy snow can build up significant weight on structures and rooftops, which can lead to major leaks, ice dams, and even compromise your structure’s integrity. Prompt ice removal prevents this dangerous and potentially costly buildup. They can also help with the wear and tear of the freeze-thaw cycle on roads, paving, and concrete by timely de-icing essential business areas.
It Makes Your Business Look More Professional
Having professionals clear your business of snow and elated debris gives your customers a good impression. After all, if you can’t even keep your walkways properly cleared, what does that say about your concern for your clients and customers’ safety?
Other Reasons Why Commercial Snow Removal Is a Sensible Choice
Snow removal contractors have the right equipment, such as heavy-duty plows and commercial-grade snow blowers, and brine and salt spreaders. More than that, they have trained staff to perform their services safely and effectively.
- Most reputable Commercial Snow removers offer a 24-hour emergency contact for unexpected weather events.
- Snow and Ice management keeps ahead of bad weather and prepares your business for the storm before it hits. For example, they will apply liquid salt brine several days in advance to keep your business running like clockwork.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why hiring professionals to deal with your snow and ice issues seems the wisest choice. If you think it might not be in your budget, just be sure that you don’t end up paying more in the long run if someone gets injured on your property due to wintery conditions.
