Tips on how a snow removal contractor can prepare for the new season

Pre-season effort can have a significant impact on the success of your snow removal business. Here are a few key areas to focus on when getting ready for the season.

Hiring

• Interview both new and returning employees. You want to be sure returning employees are still a good fit for your business.
• Review everyone’s motor vehicle records. Returning employees might have new incidents on their records.
• Road test everyone under controlled conditions to assess skills. 
• Provide new employees with mentors. No matter how much classroom training you provide, on-the-job experience under a trusted employee is important.
• Hold a seasonal training meeting and conduct routine meetings throughout the season. Topics may include:
  • Employee safety/OSHA-required training
  • Driving safety
  • Equipment inspection maintenance
  • Theft prevention
  • Job-site procedures and recordkeeping/documentation requirements
  • Incident-reporting procedures, including property damage

Equipment and supplies

• Obtain or restock salt, shovels, gloves, and other supplies.
• Restock spare parts for in-house equipment repairs.
• Verify vendor partnerships for third-party equipment repairs.
• Consider using a telematic service that captures a GPS record of your vehicle’s arrival and time on project.
• Perform and document equipment inspection, calibration, and maintenance per manufacturer’s guidelines prior to the first snowfall.
• Document preventative maintenance every time it is done.
• Test equipment and verify required safety devices are in place.
• Use Acuity's Snow Removal Equipment Maintenance and Calibration checklist to help make sure everything is covered.

Check out these other blogs to ensure you are set-up for success this winter season: tips on selecting which business to to work with and tips on prepping a jobsite.