Important note!: Only library staff may offer to shovel snow or spread ice melt. No contract security officers, volunteers or family members.

Preventing slips on snow and ice

• Wear proper footwear (you provide your own), such as shoes with:
  • Rubber soles
  • Good treads
  • Ice cleats
• Take shorter steps at a slower pace (think walk like a penguin, with toes out!)
• Keep your hands free and out of your pockets so you can brace yourself if you slip

Shoveling safety

• Warm up (this is exercise!)
• Push the snow rather than lifting it, whenever possible
• Lift the snow using your legs, not your back
• Work slowly and don’t rush
• Only remove enough snow to create safe walkways in prime pathways; you are not required to shovel the entire perimeter
• Take breaks often
• Step in the direction your are tossing the snow, instead of twisting
• Stay hydrated
• Stretch when finished

Additional tips

• Tips from Travelers Insurance
• See it in action! Watch this video from LS Training (2½ minutes)

Applying ice melt

Things to keep in mind when putting down ice melt:

• This is a voluntary, not mandated task
• Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for any specific instructions before applying the ice melt
• Wear side-shield googles, not regular glasses
• Lay down a thin layer—about 1 cup (the size of a fist) per square yard (see images below)
• You may have better control using your hands instead of the scooper
  • Wear gloves!
• Ice melt dissolves in the snow and ice; the brine is what makes it safer to walk and drive on

More information, including the science behind ice melt

Questions?

Send them to Lisa Canavan or lib-facilities@multco.us.