Fin Livingston, Director of Product Management, Rite-Hite^®

Snow and ice on roadways make for dangerous driving. However, when snow and ice blow off semi-trailers and trucks, the risk factors for drivers and the responsibility for carriers increase dramatically. Not surprisingly, many provinces and states impose fines on carriers who don’t sufficiently remove snow.

Manually removing rooftop snow can be costly, time-consuming, and dangerous. Fortunately, there is a way to remove snow efficiently, quickly, and safely from trucks and trailers with automated snow removal machines to help keep fleets clean and running on time.

Truck drivers often have the responsibility of removing snow from their roofs. There are several ways of doing this, some of which put the driver at risk. Options for clearing rooftop snow include:

• Climbing to the top of the truck or trailer and using a shovel.

• Using a snow rake to remove rooftop snow and ice from the ground.

• Driving through an automated snow removal machine.

While the shovel or rake are considered more traditional methods, they take time and put drivers and employees in harm’s way.

 The Danger of Snow on Vehicle Rooftops

Of course, there’s always the option to leave snow on the rooftops, but it’s a risky one. Once the danger of snow and ice on rooftops is understood, it’s clear this isn’t a real option.

When snow isn’t removed from vehicle rooftops, thawing and freezing can turn snow into a solid ice block that threatens the drivers of other vehicles. Snow and ice dislodging from vehicle rooftops can be disastrous – potentially blowing off onto nearby motorists, disrupting the driver’s vision, and causing crashes. Lawsuits stemming from these types of accidents can be costly.

Failure to remove snow from a trailer rooftop isn’t really an option unless the driver and managing company want to risk a life-changing or life-ending event for other drivers on the road. 

 It’s the Law

And if risking lives isn’t reason enough, simply travelling with snow on a roof can be expensive and against the law.

Laws against commercial vehicles travelling with snow-covered roofs have been enacted in Canada in Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Northwest Territory, Nunavut, and Prince Edward Island. In the US, laws governing rooftop snow removal are in place in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and most recently in Pennsylvania and Maine. In Maine, the law applies to vehicles weighing less than 4,539 kg. These locations set the stage for more laws in additional states and provinces.

Failure to remove snow can result in fines, the revocation of commercial driver’s licenses, points assessed to driving records, temporary or permanent job loss, and higher insurance rates.

Even in areas without specific snow laws, all commercial transport vehicles are required to secure their loads while travelling on roadways. Snow and ice on top of a truck or trailer can be considered unsecured and result in fines. 

 Snow Removal: The Hard Way

Manually removing snow from trailers that are 3.5-plus meters tall requires people to use snow brushes, rakes, and ladders. In wintry conditions, the possibility of slipping increases, as do injuries such as sprained or broken ankles and legs or separated shoulders. Additionally, even the best snow brush and snow rake for trucks and tractor-trailers still pull snow downward near (or onto) the person clearing the snow. The intense physical labour of manually removing snow can lead to cardiac events.

Truck and trailer rooftop snow removal is tough on truck fleets. Injuries to drivers and workers not only exacerbate the existing shortage of truck drivers and cause delivery delays, they may expose the employer to higher workers’ compensation claim costs.

Additionally, the stress of having to remove snow can lead to compromised mental and emotional states of employees. While the single act might not be detrimental, it can add to the other stresses of delivering goods on time in wintry conditions. The stress of fleet managers and yard crews who might have to worry about removing snow from rooftops can also be damaging.

 Remove Snow Safely and Efficiently

Snow removal doesn’t have to be a labour-intensive, time-consuming ordeal fraught with the risk of injury and stress. There’s a safer, more efficient way to remove snow from tall trailer rooftops: plow assemblies that are truck snow scrapers – clearing snow off the tops of trucks/trailers when they pass under it.

This seemingly simple concept can provide substantial safety and efficiency benefits. Removing snow from truck and trailer roofs can help reduce the risk of ice missiles creating turmoil on North American roadways.

Different makes and models of snow removal machines allow fleet managers and yard managers to specify the right option for their facility and fleet. The most advanced versions can remove 60 cm of snow in less than 30 seconds, allowing a fleet of 60 vehicles to be completely cleaned off in an hour using an adjustable height plow assembly. These systems accommodate a wide range of vehicles, including common last-mile delivery vehicles, box trucks, dry van trailers, cargo vans with rounded roof edges, passenger vans, and containers built for intermodal travel.

The most high-performing snow removal machines use an efficient patented V-shaped plow blade. It’s important to find a model that is tough enough to remove heavy snow, keeps workers and equipment safe, and won’t damage vehicle rooftops.

Some versions have an automated feature that requires an operator to merely push buttons for quick and easy snow removal. Certain snow removal machines are even portable, so they can be moved out of the way and stored during warmer seasons. As winter gives way to spring, the portability of these snow removal machines can be more than just a nice perk; it becomes essential in yards to maximize their footprint.

 Safer Roads, More Productive Drivers

Removing snow from truck and trailer rooftops is critical to keeping roadways safe for all motorists during winter months. It will also limit drivers’ exposure to tickets, fines, and license suspensions. There are several snow removal techniques to consider, but not all provide the same level of safety and efficiency as automated snow removal options. Investing in carefully evaluated snow removal machines is wise for facilities and fleet managers who want to emphasize safety and productivity.