Winter maintenance tools

Does your business apply winter salt?

Salt is a major drinking water quality concern. Winter salting practices at your business may require the completion of a risk management plan in compliance with the Grand River Source Protection Plan.

As your property is near a municipal drinking water well that has increasing chloride levels, the Region of Waterloo may require your organization to complete a winter maintenance risk management plan.

Fill out this form to find out if your business needs to complete a winter maintenance risk management plan.

Free property review 

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

Benefits of booking your free consultation

  • Receive help completing your risk management plan worksheet
  • Identify problem areas where ice forms in the winter
  • Learn about solutions to manage potential slip and fall hazards
  • Receive free winter maintenance resources

How to book your free consultation

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

Free resources

Whether you clear the snow or hire someone else to do it, you are ultimately responsible for the safety of others on your property. We have resources to support your winter maintenance plan.

Design your winter maintenance plan with worksheet

The Region of Waterloo is offering a free service to complete your winter maintenance plan worksheet. Complete this form to find out if your business requires a risk management plan and qualifies for this free service.

Upon completion of the form, a Region of Waterloo representative will contact you.

  • If your property requires a risk management plan, you will receive:
    • confirmation a risk management plan is required
    • the worksheet to complete your risk management plan
    • option to book a free consultation to complete your worksheet
  • If your property does not require a risk management plan, you will be directed to an alternate planning worksheet you can use to design your winter maintenance plan

Preparing your winter maintenance plan should include:

Include winter reminders with stickers, posters and window clings

Free resources are available to display as winter reminders to staff and visitors.

Order form to request your winter reminders

Winter safety reminder stickers and posters.

Close unneeded parking and walking areas using Area Closed sign

Close unneeded areas that do not block emergency exits, accessibility ramps or entrances. Examples of areas to close include overflow parking, seasonal patios, extra walkways and stairways.

Benefits of closing unneeded areas may include:

  • Allows winter maintenance team to focus efforts on high traffic areas
  • Reduce winter maintenance costs and repairs from salt damage
  • Manage risk from potential slip and fall hazards
  • Reduce winter maintenance costs from plowing and salting
  • Offers location to store plowed snow

Are you closing areas this winter? Request your free Area Closed sign.

Area Closed sign specifications:

  • Size: 30 cm wide x 45 cm high (12 inches wide x 18 inches high)
  • Material: aluminum steel
  • Weight: 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs.)
  • Display options: hang from chains, mount on post or attach to fence (property owner responsible for hardware to display sign)
  • Additional information: Closed area program information sheet

Training videos

A new approach to winter maintenance

Learn about the importance of following a complete winter maintenance plan and steps to get started.

Contracts and training

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

Identifying slip and fall hazards

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

 

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