Winter Maintenance for Commercial Properties

Free property review

For a limited time, the Region of Waterloo is offering free consultations to properties requiring a risk management plan. During the 60-minute consultation, a Region of Waterloo representative will walk the property with you to identify actions to reduce salt use while maintaining winter safety.

Complete this form to find out if your business requires a risk management plan and qualifies for this free service.

Winter maintenance planning worksheet

Whether you clear your snow or hire someone to do it, you are responsible for the safety of others on your property.

Use this worksheet to help design your winter maintenance plan including:

• Salt training for your team and hired contractor’s staff
• Contracting salt by unit price per event or lump sum per season 
• A plan to maintain good records in case of a slip and fall claim 
• Walking your property to understand where ice forms, and how to prevent it
• Identifying where to store plowed snow that keeps ice from forming across your parking lot due to melt and freeze weather
• A plan to deal with ice when it is too cold for salt to work (around -10°C)

Free winter maintenance resources

The Region of Waterloo has resources available to support your winter maintenance plan including:

• Health and safety notices
• Record keeping log sheets
• Salt storage bin decals
• Area closed signs to close areas not receiving winter maintenance

Salt management training and certification

Complete salt management training and certify as a Smart About Salt contractor through the Smart About Salt Council.

Free daily weather forecasts

Eligible Smart About Salt contractors can sign up for free daily weather forecasts. The forecasts are delivered four times a day from October to April.

Complete this form to find out if you qualify for the free weather forecast service.

Free winter maintenance resources

The Region of Waterloo has resources available to support your clients winter maintenance plans including:

• Health and safety notices
• Record keeping log sheets
• Salt storage bin decals
• Area closed signs to close areas not receiving winter maintenance

Contracts and training

Information to consider as part of your winter maintenance contract and the importance of including training.

Identifying slip and fall hazards

Identifying areas where ice can form in the winter and actions you can take to deal with potential slip and fall hazards.