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Snow and Ice Removal Cold Weather Safety Risk Assessment

Snow and Ice Removal Cold Weather Safety Risk Assessment

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Snow and Ice Removal Cold Weather Safety Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Snow and Ice Removal and Cold Weather Operations using this management-level Risk Assessment, focused on planning, systems, and governance rather than task-by-task procedures. This document supports compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations while strengthening WHS Risk Management, Due Diligence and protection of organisational liability across winter operations.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance, Roles and Legal Compliance: Assessment of officer due diligence, allocation of WHS responsibilities, consultation arrangements, and compliance with statutory duties for cold weather and snow/ice operations.
  • Strategic Planning for Snow and Ice Seasons: Management of pre-season planning, resource allocation, winter service plans, risk registers, and triggers for activating snow and ice removal programs.
  • Contractor and Labour‑Hire Management: Protocols for prequalification, scope definition, competency verification, supervision, and monitoring of third-party providers engaged in snow and ice removal activities.
  • Worker Competency, Training and Supervision: Systems for induction, task-specific training, verification of competency, and supervision arrangements for personnel working in cold and icy conditions.
  • Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Change Management: Processes for identifying seasonal and site-specific hazards, conducting formal risk assessments, and managing changes to routes, access points, or work methods.
  • Plant, Equipment and Maintenance Systems: Management of selection, inspection, and maintenance of snow ploughs, spreaders, blowers, vehicles, and powered equipment used in snow and ice removal.
  • Surface Treatment, Pathway Design and Engineering Controls: Assessment of pathway grading, surface materials, drainage, barriers, handrails, and the strategic use of de-icing and anti-slip treatments to minimise slip, trip and fall risks.
  • Traffic and Pedestrian Interface Management: Controls for managing vehicle movements, shared zones, car parks, loading areas, and pedestrian routes during snow and ice clearing operations.
  • Cold Exposure, Fatigue and Health Management Systems: Management of hypothermia, frostbite, cold stress, extended shifts, and fitness for work through rostering, warm-up breaks, and health monitoring programs.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management: Systems for selection, issue, maintenance, and replacement of cold-weather PPE, including thermal clothing, slip-resistant footwear, eye and hand protection.
  • Communication, Coordination and Information Management: Protocols for shift handover, radio and mobile communications, weather alerts, and coordination between internal teams, contractors, and emergency services.
  • Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response: Planning for slips, falls, vehicle incidents, medical emergencies, and severe weather escalation, including response procedures and post-incident review.
  • Chemical, Environmental and Storage Management (De‑Icing and Gritting Materials): Management of selection, storage, handling, and environmental impacts of salts, brines, and grit materials used for de-icing and anti-icing.
  • Information for Building Occupants, Tenants and the Public: Systems for signage, notifications, access restrictions, and communication of residual risks to occupants and visitors during and after snow and ice treatment.
  • Monitoring, Inspection, Audit and Continuous Improvement: Scheduled inspections, performance monitoring, incident trend analysis, and audit processes to continually improve snow and ice removal safety systems.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Facility Managers, Property Managers, Local Government, and Safety Officers responsible for planning and overseeing snow and ice removal and cold weather safety programs across their operations.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Roles and Legal Compliance
  • • Lack of clearly defined WHS roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for snow and ice removal activities
  • • Inadequate understanding of duties under the WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulations, including due diligence obligations of officers
  • • No formal system for consultation with workers about cold weather and snow / ice risks
  • • Failure to monitor changes in legislation, codes of practice and relevant Australian / industry standards
  • • Inadequate integration of snow and ice risks into the overall WHS management system
  • • Insufficient arrangements for managing contractors and labour‑hire workers under overlapping duty holder requirements
2. Strategic Planning for Snow and Ice Seasons
  • • Absence of a documented seasonal snow and ice management plan including trigger points for activation
  • • Reactive rather than planned response to forecast snow, black ice and extreme cold conditions
  • • Inadequate forecasting and monitoring of Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) data and local micro‑climate effects
  • • Failure to consider peak usage times for pathways, car parks and access routes when planning clearance priorities
  • • No clear contingency arrangements for prolonged or severe events (e.g. multi‑day snowfall, power or access disruption)
  • • Insufficient budgeting and resourcing for equipment, de‑icing product, PPE and labour during peak periods
3. Contractor and Labour‑Hire Management
  • • Engagement of contractors without verifying competency, licences and experience in snow and ice removal
  • • Lack of clear contract WHS expectations and performance standards related to cold weather safety
  • • Poor coordination between in‑house teams and contractors, leading to gaps or duplication in pathway clearance
  • • No system to verify contractors’ plant maintenance, de‑icing product handling and fatigue management practices
  • • Inadequate induction of contractor personnel to site‑specific hazards, restricted zones and emergency procedures
  • • Insufficient monitoring of contractor WHS performance, incident reporting and corrective actions
4. Worker Competency, Training and Supervision
  • • Workers undertaking snow and ice removal without adequate competency in operating plant, handling de‑icing products and recognising cold stress
  • • Insufficient training on risk controls for slips, trips, falls and vehicle interaction in icy conditions
  • • Inadequate supervision of new or young workers in cold weather environments
  • • No formal verification of high‑risk skills such as operation of powered mobile plant, spreaders or attachments
  • • Lack of refresher training on seasonal procedures leading to drift from safe work practices
  • • Limited awareness of emergency protocols for cold injury, first aid and incident reporting
5. Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Change Management
  • • Failure to systematically identify snow and ice hazards on pathways, stairs, ramps, roofs, loading docks and vehicle routes
  • • No formal risk assessment process specific to cold weather and snow clearance activities
  • • Changes to site layout, construction works or traffic patterns not adequately assessed for winter impacts
  • • Lack of worker participation in identifying localised icy spots or recurring hazards such as roof run‑off and shaded areas
  • • Poorly managed introduction of new plant, chemicals or de‑icing products without assessment of health and safety implications
  • • Inadequate review of risk assessments following incidents, near misses or significant weather events
6. Plant, Equipment and Maintenance Systems
  • • Use of unsuitable or poorly maintained plant for snow and ice removal (e.g. unguarded snow blowers, defective lights, worn tyres)
  • • Lack of pre‑start inspection systems for cold weather equipment such as spreaders, ploughs and small plant
  • • Failure of critical equipment during severe weather due to inadequate preventative maintenance
  • • Insufficient availability of back‑up plant or attachments, leading to pressure to use unsafe equipment
  • • Inadequate storage and protection of equipment from freezing, corrosion and damage
  • • No verification that hired or contractor plant meets safety specifications and is fit for purpose in icy conditions
7. Surface Treatment, Pathway Design and Engineering Controls
  • • Pathways, stairs, ramps and car parks not designed or upgraded to minimise snow and ice accumulation and refreezing
  • • Insufficient or poorly planned use of de‑icing materials, gritting agents and snow barriers
  • • Lack of drainage or fall‑to‑drain design leading to water pooling and black ice formation
  • • Inadequate handrails, edge protection or non‑slip surfacing on stairs, ramps and external landings
  • • Over‑reliance on manual snow shovelling rather than engineered or mechanical solutions where practicable
  • • Use of inappropriate surface treatments that damage infrastructure or create secondary hazards (e.g. corrosion, environmental contamination)
8. Traffic and Pedestrian Interface Management
  • • Uncontrolled interaction between snow removal vehicles and pedestrians on pathways and in car parks
  • • Poor visibility due to snowfall, reduced daylight hours and fogged windows leading to collisions
  • • Lack of clear routes and segregation for vehicles and pedestrians during snow clearance operations
  • • Inadequate signage, lighting and barriers when pathways are temporarily closed for snow and ice removal
  • • No system for controlling delivery vehicles, visitors and public access in active work zones
  • • Failure to adjust speed limits and parking arrangements to suit icy conditions
9. Cold Exposure, Fatigue and Health Management Systems
  • • Prolonged exposure to low temperatures, wind chill and wet conditions resulting in cold stress, hypothermia or frostbite
  • • Inadequate scheduling of work and rest breaks leading to fatigue, reduced concentration and increased incident likelihood
  • • Failure to consider individual health factors, medications or pre‑existing conditions that may increase cold vulnerability
  • • Lack of access to warm shelters, hot drinks and drying facilities for wet clothing and PPE
  • • Insufficient procedures to identify and respond to early signs of cold injury or fatigue in workers
  • • Use of overtime or extended shifts during storms without appropriate fatigue risk management
10. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management
  • • Reliance on PPE as the primary control instead of higher‑order controls for snow and ice risks
  • • Provision of inadequate or unsuitable cold weather PPE (e.g. non‑insulated gloves, non‑slip footwear not rated for icy surfaces)
  • • Inconsistent use of PPE due to discomfort, poor fit or lack of replacement items
  • • No formal PPE issue, maintenance and replacement system
  • • Insufficient consideration of high‑visibility requirements for low‑light and snowy conditions
  • • Lack of training on correct selection, use, limitations and care of cold weather PPE
11. Communication, Coordination and Information Management
  • • Lack of timely communication regarding weather warnings, pathway closures and high‑risk areas
  • • Inadequate systems for coordinating multiple teams or contractors working concurrently on snow and ice removal
  • • No clear process for notifying building occupants, tenants and the public about snow clearance activities and residual hazards
  • • Poor record‑keeping of decisions, resource deployment and changes to planned operations during events
  • • Limited access to reliable communication devices for workers operating in remote or external areas
  • • Misunderstandings due to inconsistent terminology, language barriers or unclear instructions
12. Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response
  • • Insufficient planning for emergencies occurring during snow and ice conditions, including slips, falls, vehicle incidents and cold injury
  • • Emergency egress routes and assembly areas not maintained free of snow and ice
  • • Delayed response times from emergency services due to weather and access limitations
  • • Lack of appropriate first aid equipment and trained first aiders familiar with cold‑related conditions
  • • No specific procedures for rescue or recovery of persons injured or stranded in cold conditions on site
  • • Inadequate post‑incident investigation and learning processes for snow and ice‑related events
13. Chemical, Environmental and Storage Management (De‑Icing and Gritting Materials)
  • • Improper storage or handling of de‑icing chemicals leading to spills, skin or eye contact and environmental harm
  • • Lack of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or inadequate understanding of health hazards associated with de‑icing products
  • • Over‑application or misapplication of chemicals causing corrosion, damage to surfaces or contamination of drainage systems
  • • Manual handling risks from repeated lifting and carrying of heavy bags or containers of grit and de‑icer
  • • Inadequate segregation of incompatible chemicals or storage near ignition sources, drains or sensitive vegetation
  • • Failure to consider environmental approvals or local restrictions on certain de‑icing products
14. Information for Building Occupants, Tenants and the Public
  • • Occupants and visitors not being aware of residual snow and ice risks leading to slips, trips and falls
  • • Inconsistent messaging about which pathways are cleared, partially cleared or closed
  • • Over‑reliance on informal word‑of‑mouth communication rather than structured notification systems
  • • Failure to consider accessibility requirements for people with mobility impairments during snow conditions
  • • Lack of feedback mechanisms for occupants to report hazardous conditions or near misses
  • • Signage not designed for visibility in snow, low light or high wind conditions
15. Monitoring, Inspection, Audit and Continuous Improvement
  • • Failure to verify that snow and ice control measures are implemented and effective across all relevant areas
  • • Infrequent or informal inspections leading to missed deterioration in surfaces, signage or lighting
  • • Lack of structured performance indicators to assess cold weather safety outcomes
  • • Poor analysis of incident, near miss and hazard data specific to snow and ice conditions
  • • No formal mechanism to capture worker suggestions or lessons learned from each season
  • • Complacency developing after extended periods with few incidents, leading to reduced vigilance

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

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Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Guidance on systematic risk management processes.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe access, egress, and environmental conditions including outdoor work.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Control measures for slips, trips and falls on icy and wet surfaces.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities (Remote and Isolated Work) Guidance: Considerations for remote snow and ice clearing operations.
  • AS/NZS 45001:2018: Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use.
  • AS/NZS 2210 series: Safety, protective and occupational footwear — Requirements for slip resistance and cold-weather suitability.
  • AS 1319:1994: Safety signs for the occupational environment — Requirements for warning, mandatory and hazard signs in affected areas.
  • AS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices — Where used in elevated snow and ice removal tasks.
  • AS/NZS 1715 & 1716: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (where de-icing chemicals or dusts present inhalation risks).
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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