Massachusetts officials say a second worker died Monday due to snow removal stress while on the job.
David Jones, 61, died after clearing snow for the Douglas Public School district, according to the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health.
Jones’ death marked the second snow-related death in less than four days in the Bay State.
On Jan. 5, Gordon Van Russell collapsed and died while shoveling snow for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority in Arlington.
“This is very sad news for both families,” said Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, Executive Director of MassCOSH. “All employers should have conversations with employees involved in snow removal to take frequent breaks to avoid overtaxing their bodies given how related this work and heart failure are.”
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HAZARD ALERT
Falls and Other Hazards to Workers Removing Snow
from Rooftops and Other Elevated Surfaces
Every year, workers are killed or seriously injured
while performing snow or ice removal from rooftops
and other building structures, such as decks. OSHA
has investigated 16 such serious injuries or fatalities
in the past 10 years – all of which could have been
prevented.
Snow removal is performed for a number of reasons,
such as to prevent overloading and collapse, or
for construction or repair of decking or roofs. Often
workers climb directly onto the roofs or structures
and use equipment such as shovels, snow rakes,
snow blowers, ladders, etc. Other times these
operations may be performed from the ground level
using snow rakes. Aerial lifts are sometimes used
to access roofs and apply de-icing materials. Snow
removal operations are often performed under
extreme weather conditions (e.g., cold, high winds,
icy surfaces). Workers who perform these activities
(for example, building maintenance workers) may
have little experience or training on the hazards of
such operations or work.
Workers performing snow removal operations are
exposed to many serious hazards. Based on the
findings of OSHA investigations, falls cause the most
worker fatalities and injuries during rooftop snow
removal. Workers may fall off roof edges, through
skylights, and from ladders and aerial lifts. Workers
may also be injured or killed by a roof collapse.
Examples of incidents investigated by OSHA include:
• A worker was removing snow from a roof,
when he lost his balance and slid off the roof.
He fell and struck his head on construction
materials that were being stored below the
roof, and sustained a fatal head injury.
• A worker was laying grid lines and shoveling
snow on a second floor deck. An elevator shaft
opening was covered with a plastic tarp with
temporary guardrails installed around a portion
of the shaft opening. The worker, who was not
wearing any fall protection, fell 30 feet through
the unguarded portion of the elevator shaft
opening and died.
• Four workers were building a second-floor room
addition. One of the workers was standing on
a 12-foot aluminum ladder attempting to clean
snow from a low-slope roof, 10 feet above
ground. The feet of the ladder slid, the worker
fell, struck his head on the ladder and then on
the concrete driveway. He died several days
later.
• A worker was shoveling snow from the roof
of a residential construction site. He fell from
a height of more than 11 feet and was fatally
impaled by a scaffold upright in the course of
his fall.
Workers removing snow face other significant
hazards in addition to falls from roofs, including:
• Amputations, eye injuries, and other injuries
associated with the use of snowblowers and
other mechanized equipment.
OSHA requires that employers plan ahead and use the proper
protective measures to protect workers engaging in snow
removal activities. This includes snow removal by workers from
commercial and residential buildings, flat roofs and pitched roofs.
• Collapses or tip-overs when using aerial lifts.
• Entrapment and suffocation under falling
snow drifts or snow piles.
• Shock/electrocution hazards from contacting
power lines or damaged extension cords.
• Frostbite or hypothermia from cold and windy
conditions.
• Musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion.
Under the OSH Act’s general duty clause, employers
have a duty to protect workers from recognized
serious hazards in the workplace, including hazards
associated with snow removal from roofs. This
hazard alert describes the steps you can take to
prevent injuries and deaths from these hazards.
Plan Ahead for Safe Snow Removal
from Roofs
Before snow starts to accumulate, think about
what will be needed to safely remove snow from
roofs or other elevated surfaces:
• Can snow be removed without workers going
onto the roof?
• Are there any hazards on the roof that might
become hidden by the snow and need to
be marked so that workers can see them
(skylights, roof drains, vents, etc.)?
• How should the snow be removed, based on
the building’s layout, to prevent unbalanced
loading?
• What are the maximum load limits of the roof
and how do they compare with the estimated
total weight of snow, snow-removal equipment,
and workers on the roof?
• What tools, equipment, protective devices,
clothing and footwear will workers need?
• What type of fall protection will be used to
protect workers on roofs and other elevated
surfaces?
• What training will workers need to work safely?
• How will mechanized snow removal equipment
be safely elevated to the roof?
• How will you protect people on the ground from
snow and ice falling off the roof during removal
operations?
Snow rakes resemble a garden hoe with a long handle.
Workers should be instructed to remove small amounts at a
time to avoid strain or from being hit or buried by falling snow.
Preventing Falls during Snow Removal
Working on a roof with snow, ice, or wind carries a
risk of a fall onto the roof, or a fall off the roof to the
ground below or through a snow-covered skylight, all
of which are often fatal. Therefore, employers should
protect their workers from these hazardous work
conditions by:
• Using snow removal methods that do not
involve workers going on roofs, when and
where possible.
• Evaluating loads exerted on roof or structure
(e.g., total weight of snow, workers and
equipment used), compared to the load limit of
the roofs.
• Requiring that workers use fall protection
equipment.
• Ensuring that workers use ladders and aerial
lifts safely.
Remove Snow Without Going on the Roof
Whenever possible, use methods to clear ice and
snow without workers going on the roof. For example:
• Use ladders to apply de-icing materials.
• Use snow rakes or drag lines from the ground.
These methods can pose various hazards to
workers. Read the sections below on “Use Ladders
Safely,” “Use Aerial Lifts Safely,” and “Avoid Electrical
Hazards.”
Evaluate Load Bearing on the Roof or Structure
Before workers access a roof or other elevated
structure, the employer should confirm that the
workers’ weight and any equipment used can be
supported by the roof or structure without causing
a collapse. Workers should always use caution by
remaining alert to unexpected sounds or movement
around surfaces that have been weighed down by
snow (or water from melted snow), because these
surfaces could collapse.
Shoveling or raking a roof without using the proper
procedures can also increase the risk of roof
collapse by creating an unbalanced load on the roof.
To prevent unbalanced loading during snow removal,
workers should:
• Remove snow uniformly across the roof.
• Avoid making snow piles on the roof.
What is Snow Load and How Much Snow
Can a Roof Support?
Snow load is the weight of the snow (generally
reported in pounds per square foot). The weight of
the snow will vary depending on its water content.
Snow load on the ground can provide a rough
indication of roof snow load, but roof snow loads
also depend upon factors such as melting and
re-freezing of snow and ice, drifting, roof slope,
type of roof, and design features.
The amount of weight that a roof can safely
support is based on local building code
requirements and should be available within
the design specifications for your building. If the
structure or roof has structural deterioration,
the roof might support less weight than would
otherwise be expected.
Resources
• National snow load information, compiled by the
U.S. Forest Service. Includes ground snow load
information and links to state-specific data.
• National Weather Service, snow analysis data
(searchable by region, state, city, and zip code).
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, National
Resources Conservation Service, SNOwpack
TELemetry (SNOTEL) snow data for states in
the western U.S. Shows example ground snow
load calculations.
• For more in-depth information on roof snow load
calculations and requirements, see American
Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7, Minimum
Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.
Use Required Fall Protection
Falls cause most of the deaths and severe injuries
that occur during snow removal operations. OSHA
standards require employers to evaluate hazards and
protect workers from falls when working at heights of
4 feet or more above a lower level (1910.23) or 6 feet
or more for construction work (1926.501).
If workers access roofs and other elevated surfaces
to clear snow:
• Train workers on fall hazards and the proper
use of fall protection equipment, as required by
1910.132(f)(1) and 1926.503(a)(1).
• Provide and ensure that workers use fall
protection equipment if they are removing snow
in areas that are not adequately guarded (e.g.,
with a guardrail system or cover) as required
by STD 01-01-013 and 1926.501(b) (see box:
“Information on Fall Protection” and “Note”
below.)
• Instruct workers who wear personal fall
protection equipment to put on their harnesses
and buckle them snugly before mounting the
roof.
• Have a plan for rescuing a fallen worker caught
by a fall protection system, as required by
1926.502(d)(20).
• Remove or clearly mark rooftop or landscaping
features that could become trip hazards.
Information on Fall Protection
Personal fall arrest systems and guardrails are
among the most commonly used forms of fall
protection for work on roofs.
• Typical personal fall arrest systems involve
an anchor point, a full-body harness, and a
connector, such as a retractable lifeline or a
shock-absorbing lanyard. Anchor points must
be able to support at least 5,000 pounds for
each worker attached to it (1926.502(d)(15)) or
maintain a safety factor of at least two (twice the
impact load) under the supervision of a qualified
person (1926.502(d)(15)(i) and (ii)). OSHA
believes that anchorages available on the market
will meet the strength requirements if they are
installed as per the manufacturer’s instruction.
• Guardrails must be 42 inches high with a midrail
(1910.23(e), 1926.502(b))
Other resources:
Personal Fall Arrest Systems, OSHA Construction
e-tool
Fall Protection in Residential Construction, OSHA
Safety and Health Topics Page
Use Ladders Safely
Workers may use ladders to access rooftops for
snow removal. Workers should not use a snow
rake or shovel while on a ladder because this
greatly increases the risk of losing one’s balance
and falling.
To prevent falls from ladders used for accessing
roofs:
• Make sure that workers know the route and
method they should use to get up and down
from a roof in a way that minimizes the risk of
falling. The safest location for the ladder might
not be the most obvious one, or an alternate
method (e.g., an access door or lift) might be
available to get on the roof. Safe roof access is
as important as having effective fall protection
while on the roof.
• Ensure that workers follow safe practices when
working on ladders, such as:
o Ensure that the ladder has level and secure
footing, as required by (1910.25(d)(2)(xix),
1910.26(c)(3)(iii), and 1926.1053(b)(6).
o Check the ladder rungs for ice. A slippery
step can cause a fatal fall.
o Position the ladder at the correct angle.
Place the base of the ladder a distance
from the vertical wall equal to one-fourth the
working length of the ladder, as required
by 1910.25(d)(2)(i), 1910.26(c)(3)(i), and
1926.1053(b)(5)(i).
o Clean snow from shoes or boots before
mounting the ladder.
o Extend the ladder 3 feet above the upper
level (i.e., the roof). If not possible, use ladder
rail extensions and secure the ladder to
prevent it from slipping or tipping, as required
by 1926.1053(b)(1) and 1910.25(d)(2)(xv).
o If using an A-frame ladder, do not stand on
the top two steps – that location is not stable.
o Always maintain three points of contact with
the ladder (two feet and one hand, alternating
with two hands and a foot), as required by
1926.1053(b)(21).
Use Aerial Lifts Safely
Aerial lifts may be used during snow removal
operations to transport de-icing equipment or to push
or scrape snow from a roof.
Take the following steps to ensure safe use of this
equipment (also see “Avoid Electrical Hazards”
below):
• Make sure that workers who operate aerial
lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the
An aerial lift is being used in a snow removal operation. The
worker is using a restraining belt and lanyard for protection.
NOTE: Snow removal is typically a maintenance activity
regulated under OSHA’s general industry standards, 29
CFR 1910 (see general industry fall protection compliance
guidance, Directive STD 01-01-013, for work from elevated
surfaces). However, on construction sites where snow must
be removed in order to begin or continue construction work,
OSHA’s standards at 29 CFR 1926 apply, including residential
construction sites (see fall protection compliance guidance,
Directive STD 03-11-002).
o Keep the centerline of the body inside the
ladder rails. Do not lean or reach so that the
body extends outside the rails – this position
is unstable and could lead to a fall.
o Do not carry heavy or bulky objects or loads
up a ladder, as required by 1926.1053(b)(22).
This could cause loss of balance and falling.
To transport this type of equipment, workers
should climb up the ladder first, and then pull
the equipment up to the working level with a
rope or other appropriate hoisting method.
Protect People on the Ground
during Snow Removal
Workers standing on the ground removing snow
from the roof and bystanders can become trapped
under snow falling from roofs and could suffocate.
• Mark a safe work zone in the area where snow
is to be removed (e.g., keep people back 10 feet
from the point where snow is expected to be
blown or fall).
• Wear eye and head protection, especially when
removing ice.
• When using snow rakes, remove small amounts
of snow at a time.
equipment, as required by 1910.67(c)(2)(ii) and
1926.454.
• Maintain and operate elevating work platforms
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or
electrical safety devices.
• Never move the equipment with workers in an
elevated platform unless this is permitted by
the manufacturer, as required by 1926.453(b)
(2)(viii) and 1910.67(c)(2)(viii).
• Do not allow workers to position themselves
between the rails of the basket and overhead
hazards, such as joists and beams. Movement
of the lift could crush the worker(s).
• Provide and ensure that workers use a body
harness or restraining belt with a lanyard
attached to the boom or basket to prevent the
worker(s) from being ejected or pulled from the
basket, as required by 1910.67(c)(2)(v) and
1926.453(b)(2)(v).
• Do not allow workers to climb or stand on the
lift’s railing.
• Set the brakes and use wheel chocks when on
an incline, as required by 1910.67(c)(2)(vii) and
1926.453(b)(2)(vii).
• Use outriggers, if provided.
• Do not exceed the load limits of the equipment,
as required by 1910.67(c)(2)(vi) and
1926.453(b)(2)(vi). Allow for the combined
weight of the worker, tools and materials.
Preventing Injuries When Using
Mechanized Equipment on Roofs
The unsafe use of mechanized equipment, such as
snowblowers, while removing snow from roofs may
cause injuries such as amputations and eye injuries.
Accidents can also happen when workers are moving
equipment used for snow removal to the rooftop.
• Train workers and ensure that they read,
understand, and follow all manufacturers’
instructions for the safe use of all mechanical
equipment, as required by 1926.21(b)(2).
• Provide and ensure that workers wear
eye protection – items thrown by powered
equipment can ricochet and cause serious eye
damage, as required by 1910.133(a)(2) and
1926.102(a)(1).
• Ensure that workers use safe work practices.
For example:
o Raise materials to the roof using equipment
lifts, winches, pull ropes, or related
equipment.
o Do not use powered equipment near the edge
of any roof. Some snowblower manufacturers
recommend maintaining a distance of 15 feet
from the roof edge.
o Operate snow removal equipment at reduced
speeds due to slippery roof conditions.
o Keep hands out of the collection or discharge
openings on powered snow removal
equipment—equipment such as snowblowers
can cause amputations! If equipment becomes
clogged, shut it off, wait until all moving parts
have stopped, then use a clearing tool to
unclog, as required by 1926.302(c).
Avoid Electrical Hazards
Workers may face electrical hazards such as
electrocution and electric shock from power lines or
snow removal equipment.
• Use extreme caution
when working
near power lines.
Always treat power
lines, wires and
other conductors
as energized, even
if they are down
or appear to be
insulated.
• Maintain a distance
of at least 10 feet
from any power
line, as required by
1910.333(c)(3).
• Make sure that all electrically powered
equipment is grounded (third prong on a
three-prong plug is not missing) and includes
a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in
the circuit, as required by 1910.304(b)(3),
1910.334(a)(3), and 1926.404(b)(1)(ii).
• When using snow rakes, use extendable,
nonconductive poles and designate workers as
monitors to maintain 10 feet from snow rakes to
overhead power lines.
• When using aerial lifts, maintain a minimum
clearance of at least 10 feet away from the
nearest energized overhead lines, as required
by 1910.333(c)(3).
• If servicing equipment becomes necessary,
isolate the energy following lockout/tagout
procedures (for example, one method is to
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it
against the machine), as required by 1910.147
and 1926.417).
Two workers were
using a high reach
truck to remove
snow and ice from
a university sorority
house. As they were
working, one of the
workers reached
out and accidentally
grabbed a 12,000-volt
electrical line. He was
electrocuted.
Avoiding Other Hazards
Exposure to cold can cause injury and illness in
workers removing snow. Cold exposure can cause
frostbite (freezing in the deep layers of skin and
tissue) and hypothermia (drop of body temperature
to less than 95˚F). For information on how to prevent
these situations, see OSHA’s Safety and Health
Guide on Cold Stress.
Physical exertion during snow removal can also
cause injuries and illnesses. Snow removal can be
strenuous, particularly because cold weather can
be taxing on the body, and can create the potential
for exhaustion, dehydration, back injuries, or heart
attacks, and can increase the risk of falls. Make sure
that workers take steps to minimize overexertion and
help prevent injuries, such as the following:
• Scoop or push small amounts of snow at a
time. Use a smaller shovel or take smaller
scoops of snow if snow is wet and heavy.
• Use proper form if lifting is necessary; keep the
back straight and lift with the legs.
• Do not overload the snowblower; let it operate
at a modest speed.
• Take frequent breaks and drink fluids (avoid
caffeine or alcohol).
Help for Employers
OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers
free and confidential advice to small businesses
with fewer than 250 workers at a site (and no more
than 500 employees nationwide). This program
provides free on-site compliance assistance to help
employers identify and correct job hazards as well
as improve injury and illness prevention programs.
On-site consultation services are separate from
enforcement and do not result in penalties or
citations. To locate the OSHA consultation office
nearest you, visit www.osha.gov or call 1-800-321-
OSHA (6742).
OSHA has compliance assistance specialists
throughout the nation located in most OSHA offices.
Compliance assistance specialists can provide
information to employers and workers about OSHA
standards, short educational programs on specific
hazards or OSHA rights and responsibilities, and
information on additional compliance assistance
resources. Contact your local OSHA office for more
information by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit
OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
Workers Rights
Workers have the right to:
• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of
serious harm.
• Receive information and training (in a language
and vocabulary they understand) about workplace
hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA
standards that apply to their workplace.
• Review records of work-related injuries and
illnesses.
• Get copies of test results that find and measure
hazards.
• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their
workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard
or that their employer is not following OSHA’s
rules. When requested, OSHA will keep all
identities confidential.
• Exercise their rights under the law without
retaliation or discrimination.