Snow plowing requires more than the right equipment—it requires safe operating practices every time you hit the road or job site. To help protect you, your truck, your plow, and those around you, follow these eight snow plowing safety tips from BOSS.
Quick Answer: What are the most important snow plowing safety tips?
Before plowing, inspect your truck and plow, check the job site for hidden obstacles, and make sure your equipment is properly positioned. While plowing, wear your seat belt, maintain a safe speed, watch your surroundings, use warning lights, monitor engine temperature, and operate your plow according to the surface and conditions.
Before every storm, inspect your vehicle and plow to make sure everything is ready for the job.
Check tire pressure to ensure proper traction.
Inspect vehicle and plow headlights, taillights, and other required lights.
Look for signs of damage, including cracked welds or leaking hydraulics.
Check all connections between the truck and plow to make sure they are secure.
Inspect the cutting edge for excessive wear.
Confirm the vehicle is properly balanced and add ballast if necessary.
When transporting your plow between jobs, position the blade correctly to reduce the risk of damage and maintain visibility.
Angle straight blades to the right.
Keep V-blades in the retracted position.
Keep the blade high enough to avoid catching the ground, but never block your headlights or vision.
Do not exceed 40 mph when transporting a plow.
Turn off the plow control to help prevent accidental operation while traveling.
Safe operation is critical once you are on the job site.
Always wear your seat belt.
Begin moving the vehicle before lowering the blade.
Know where snow will be piled before you begin plowing. Avoid placing snow where it could block fire hydrants, mailboxes, dumpsters, or other access points.
When reversing, do not rely solely on your mirrors. Turn and look in the direction you are traveling.
Do not exceed 14 mph while plowing.
Before the snow season begins, perform a preseason inspection of every area you plan to plow. Identify and mark obstacles that could become hidden once snow accumulates.
Look for curbs, sidewalks, speed bumps, drains, fire hydrants, fences, pipes, landscaping, parking stops, and other objects that may be difficult to see during a storm.
Taking the time to identify these hazards can help prevent damage to your truck, plow, and the property you are servicing.
Adjust your plow shoes based on the surface you are clearing.
When plowing dirt or gravel, lower the plow shoes to raise the blade and help prevent it from scraping the surface.
When plowing asphalt or concrete, raise or remove the plow shoes as appropriate so the blade can scrape closer to the surface.
Monitor your vehicle's temperature gauge while plowing and transporting your plow. A plow positioned in front of the vehicle can affect airflow to the radiator.
If the vehicle begins to overheat, stop and address the problem. Adjust the blade position if necessary to improve airflow, and continue monitoring the temperature before resuming work.
Increase your visibility to other drivers and people around the job site by using appropriate warning lights. BOSS beacon warning lights use bright flashing or rotating lights to help make your vehicle more visible, giving other drivers additional time to slow down or change lanes.
Always use your warning lights when plowing or operating in low-visibility conditions, as appropriate for your equipment and local requirements.
When you finish a job, take a moment to properly position your plow and relieve pressure from the hydraulic system.
Lower the blade to the ground.
Turn off the plow control.
Do not leave the blade suspended when the vehicle is parked.
These simple steps help reduce stress on hydraulic components and prevent unintended plow movement.
Following basic snow plowing safety practices can help reduce equipment damage, downtime, and job-site risks. Before every storm, inspect your equipment, know the areas you will be clearing, and make safety part of your normal plowing routine. Following this BOSS safety checklist can help you protect your equipment, your team, and the properties you service throughout the winter. Always consult your BOSS Owner's Manual and follow the applicable vehicle manufacturer's recommendations before operating or servicing your snowplow.