Snow & Ice Removal Plan

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Stewart Ramsey
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1 Grunds Department Guidelines Snw & Ice Remval Plan This plan establishes general guidelines fr the remval f snw and ice frm surfaced areas at West Chester University. T reduce hazards t all persnnel (i.e. faculty, staff, students and the general public) as a result f winter strms, snw and ice remval peratins will begin at the earliest practical time and will cntinue as necessary until all traveled ways are clear. Respnsibilities: The President decides t cancel classes r repen classes during strm/hazardus cnditins. The Vice President fr Administrative and Fiscal Affairs makes recmmendatins t the President regarding the cancellatin f classes by 5:30 a.m. fr day classes and by 2:30 p.m. fr evening classes. The Directr f University Relatins ntifies the apprpriate radi statins f class cancellatins by 6:00 a.m. fr day classes and 3:00 p.m. fr evening classes. Facility Administratrs detect, prmptly reprt hazards and take crrective actin within his/her capability. Frequent facility inspectins by the Facility Administratrs r designated representatives during their assigned hurs are mandatry fr the timely detectin f cnditins which prevent the use f emergency exits. During nn-wrking hurs f Facility Administratrs, Grunds Maintenance, Public Safety, and Custdial Services will maintain a rutine inspectin f areas. The Directr f Public Safety ntifies the apprpriate persnnel via the plice dispatcher when strm/hazardus cnditins arise during nn-duty hurs fr the grunds keeping frce. The Executive Directr f Facilities Administratin is respnsible fr the verall implementatin f this plan, including: Annual review f plan and staff briefing Assessing perfrmance f subrdinate level departments and adjusting plan as necessary. Making recmmendatins t President via Vice President regarding class cancellatins based upn plice reprts, natinal weather bureau frecasts, and existing cnditins f campus ascertained thrugh discussin with plice shift cmmander and grunds keeping shift supervisr and/r site inspectin. Recmmendatins must be made by 5:20 a.m. fr day classes and 2:20 p.m. fr evening classes. The Grunds Manager is respnsible fr primary snw/ice remval effrts cnducted by the building custdians and grunds maintenance wrk frce, including emplyees n temprary duty assignments with this wrk frce. The Grunds Manager is respnsible fr emplying utside cntractrs t assist with University snw remval peratins, if needed. Cntracted persnnel will be sught

2 nly during cnditins f emergency which cannt be alleviated by in-huse staff capabilities. Building custdians, wrking under the directin f the Custdial Services Directr, are respnsible fr clearing snw and ice frm emergency exits and fr the maintenance f all building steps and exit ways fr at least 15 feet frm each building. The Autmtive Mechanic Supervisr is respnsible fr pre-winter services f all snw/ice remval equipment and direct supprt f grunds keeping effrts during all strm/hazardus cnditins. In that the University huses apprximately 3,500 residence students, the term schl clsed will be understd t mean classes canceled during nrmal winter strm ntificatin prcesses. Thus, essential emplyees are expected t reprt fr duty during their assigned shifts. Exceptins can nly be granted n an individual case-by-case basis and nly fr cmpelling reasns. Supplies and Equipment: Custdians have been issued ice scrapers, chemical ice melt, shvels, and brms. By Nvember 15 th f each year, Custdial Services will inventry these items in each building t assure that prper equipment and supplies are in readiness fr the snw seasn. An ample supply f cinders will be stckpiled in the Suth Campus area by the Grunds Department prir t Nvember 15 th f each year (nly if cinders will nt be available ht/direct lad frm central biler plant). The primary surce f cinders will be frm the biler plant sil during freezing weather. University peratins will at all times take pririty ver issuance f cinders t utside agencies. An ample supply f rck salt will be btained by the Grunds Department prir t Nvember 15 th f each year (twenty tn start-up usually supplies 75% f demand fr a mild winter). A refreshment supply f rck salt will be rdered as needed t maintain a minimum balance f 5 tns at all times. Grunds Maintenance shall review and replenish all items by Nvember 15 th f each year t include: Ice scrapers, shvels, brms Snw fencing Burlap bags Barricades and warning lights fr traffic cntrl Snw markers (fire hydrants, sidewalks, abutments, Tanglewd driveway) The Autmtive Shp will install snw plws and assure that all mtrized snw remval equipment is in gd wrking rder. The Rfing Shp f Physical Plant shall ensure the fllwing are immediately available: Hand tls, including ladders and ples, fr the remval f icicles which present a danger t pedestrians.

3 Implementatin: Preparatin: By n later than Nvember 15 th f each year a stckpile r immediate cntinuus supply surce f abrasives will be established by the Grunds Department. Abrasives, in rder f preferred use are: Cinders, free frm clinkers and ashes Clear sand with 100% passing a 3/8 sieve, and nt mre than 30% passing a #50 sieve Pea gravel Cal slack Sawdust By n later than Nvember 15 th f each year, snw markers will be placed at each hydrant, drain pening, valve, r ther necessary installatins that culd becme lst under drifting snw. By n later than Nvember 15 th f each year, earth, gravel and stne surfaces will be bladed s that they will nt be rugh when frzen. Rcks, stckpiles, and ther bstructins will be remved frm areas t be plwed. By n later than Nvember 15 th f each year, all culverts, drainage ditches, and strm drains (t include strm sewers) will be cleaned f bstructins t prevent water frm pnding and freezing. Trucks used fr snw plwing will be laded with ballast at time f use. After snw is remved, the ballast may be used fr icy pavements. When the truck is nt in use, the truck bdy will be relieved f the lad. By n later than Nvember 15 th f each year, the Grunds Manager will determine the need fr snw fences, and such fences will have been erected. By n later than Nvember 15 th f each year, all Facilities department heads will slicit names f vlunteers fr snw remval peratins and submit a list f names/phne numbers t the Grunds Manager. Sufficient grunds vehicles at Suth Campus will be brught t Nrth Campus at the nset f strms t prevent vehicles frm being stranded. Snw Remval Operatins The Grunds Manager will prvide the necessary grunds persnnel fr snw remval peratins. Additinal augmentatins f equipment peratrs and labrers will be prvided by all ther departments as directed by the Executive Directr f Facilities Management. During nrmal wrk hurs, the Grunds Manager will begin sweeping peratins as sn as the snw accumulates slightly n the grund. Sweeping peratins will be cncentrated in the areas f Philips Memrial Hall, the Quadrangle area, classrm areas, and the access sidewalks t Lawrence Center and Reynlds Hall. Other areas, such as access walks t residence halls, will be swept if staff is available r after the pririty areas have been cleared. When fallen snw has reached a sufficient depth fr the peratin f small, selfprpelled and walking-type equipment (usually a depth f 1 t 1 ½ ), such items

4 f equipment will be perated t clear the perimeter and interir sidewalks f the Nrth Campus. Sweeping peratins will have ceased. During ther than nrmal wrk hurs, the Public Safety dispatcher will cntact the Grunds Manager when fallen snw has reached a depth f ne-half inch, and Grunds Manager r his designee will summn snw remval persnnel, as cnsidered necessary, including the equipment peratrs, grundskeepers, labrers, garage mechanics and ther designated vlunteers. The Public Safety dispatcher will als ntify the Executive Directr f Facilities Management by 5:00 a.m. fr any cnditins that might warrant class/event cancellatins. Since the majrity f persnnel in Custdial Services are day shift, the pssibility exists that entrance ways t buildings wuld nt be cleared f snw r ice in the early mrning hurs upn departure f students frm the residence halls and/r upn arrival fr classes. Therefre, Public Safety will als ntify the night custdial supervisr (ext. x2851, pager 1828) s that apprpriate custdial persnnel will be cntacted t clear all entrance ways. Operatins will prceed t remve snw frm University areas, rads, sidewalks, and parking lts in accrdance with the pririties indicated n the attached list. The heaviest equipment will be utilized n parking lts and access rads. Equipment will be shifted t lwer pririties nly n rder r when peratins are clearly ahead f the strm. When snw is light and dry and severe crsswinds are present, the snw will be mved with the wind and the height f snw banks t the windward will be limited. As sn as peratins are ahead f the strm, windrws will be mved ff rad shulders and edges f sidewalks far enugh away t prvide fr additinal snw strage and t prevent drainage n cleared surfaces. Shveling f steps and areas inaccessible t equipment will be accmplished by hand labr. Particular attentin will be paid t clearing handicapped access, keeping strm drains free and t avid cvering fire hydrants, valves, etc. Final cleanup by hand labr will be accmplished behind the equipment t clear drainage penings, fire hydrants, etc. Traffic restrictins will be clearly marked, and safety precautins will be taken in crdinatin with the Directr f Public Safety. Ice Cntrl At critical areas, such as handicapped ramps and entrances, salt will be applied at the beginning f the strm. The resulting slush will nt be depsited n grass r landscaped area if pssible. T prevent freezing f drains, place salt in burlap bags at inlets r in catch basins but s as nt t bstruct the flw f water, if pssible. During and after the snw remval peratins, all practical measures will be taken t prvide free drainage fr melting snw s that cleared surfaces d nt

5 becme cvered with water. This requires inspectin each day that significant amunts f snw remain n the grund. Icicles will be remved frm abve drs, prches, and pedestrian walk by rfers exercising extreme cautin at all times t prtect pedestrians. Particularly hazardus sites include: East and west entrances t Main hall and Recitatin Hall Main (NW) entrance t HPE Building The spreading f abrasives will be accmplished as necessary and whenever icing f ramps, walks, etc. ccurs. Frequent inspectins during and after strms will be made by the Grunds Manager and hazardus cnditins will be eliminated upn discvery r as prmptly thereafter as pssible. Inspectins shall be dcumented and retained. Fllw-Up Drainage channels will be cut in the snw t facilitate run-ff frm melting snw and snw drifts, and t preclude water frm running acrss walks and radways. Maintenance will be perfrmed upn all equipment after use r a needed during use. Supplies will be replenished as necessary. Snw that has been piled in Nrth Campus areas during the peratin will be laded and carried t the Suth Campus fr dumping if necessary. This prcess will cntinue during nrmal wrking hurs until all snw has been remved. Temprary dump sites n Nrth Campus will nt include any drive, rad, r therwise designated fire lane r fire access rute. Special Instructins: The Grunds Manager will make arrangements with the dining hall t prvide ht cffee and meals fr his persnnel. If it is anticipated that snw remval peratins will ccur during nn-perating hurs f the dining hall, this will be arranged in advance by the Grunds Manager. The Directr f Custdial Services r designee will check all entrances and exits frm residence halls (including University-wned huses), classrms, etc., t make certain that they are cleared f snw and ice. He/she will pay particular attentin t building drs, exits, and steps where it is knwn that handicapped persns are lcated. This will be first pririty. During a prtracted strm, the Grunds Manager will rtate persnnel (including equipment peratrs) s they will nt becme fatigued. Warm-up times must be prvided. It is imprtant that persnnel be rtated s that equipment will remain in peratin cntinuusly. Persnnel lading cinders will ensure tailgates are tightly clsed t prevent spillage. Spillage which des ccur must be cleaned up befre departure. Equipment peratrs must have the flashing lights perating when engaged in plwing, salting, r cindering peratins. Any equipment failures r breakdwns will be reprted immediately t the shift supervisr. The shift supervisr will dcument the date, time, and nature f the

6 breakdwn and reprt same t the Grunds Manager. Vehicular accidents will be reprt t Public Safety immediately. Reflectrs shall be placed at apprpriate lcatins alng the Tanglewd driveway t serve as a benchmark fr snw plwing peratins. They are t be installed immediately fllwing the December hliday receptins and shall be remved at the end f the apprpriate snw seasn, r beginning f spring. Extreme care will be exercised t ensure that lawn areas are nt damaged by snw remval peratins (i.e. plws) at the Tanglewd residence r any ther prminent lawn area. Avid using plws with chains. The plicy f Facilities Supprt Services, as it relates t Management Directin Amended, dated May 7, 1979, is as fllws: When a partial r full day clsing f the University is authrized, all emplyees f Facilities Supprt Services, including clerical, are cnsidered t be in essential peratins. Emplyees will remain at wrk r reprt t wrk as scheduled. In every instance, the prvisins f Management Directive Amended, dated May 7, 1979 will be fllwed. Facilities Supprt Services emplyees may be released frm wrk r excused frm wrk nly fr valid and cmpelling reasns, as determined by their Departmental Manager. Absences will be charged t apprpriate leave time. During extended perids f snw remval peratins, the Grunds Manager may reassign part f the crew t nighttime duty. Once snw remval wrk shifts have begun, they will autmatically cntinue frm day t day and week t week until terminated by the Grunds Manager. Clearance f Vehicles frm the Parking Lts: In rder t plw parking lts safely and efficiently, the lts must be clear f vehicles. The nly exceptins are resident student parking lts (Lts L, Q, Suth Campus husing, and parts f A and F). In all ther lts, vehicles are subject t be twed if left in parking lts when there is 1 r mre accumulatin f ice and/r snw during the fllwing hurs: Mnday thrugh Friday: Lts will be clsed frm 11:00 p.m. t 6:00 a.m. during snw accumulatins. Parking lts are clsed all day n Saturday, Sunday, and hlidays (except such lts as are needed t accmmdate scheduled University events that are nt canceled). Snw Remval Pririties: Snw remval pririties may be adjusted by the supervisr/manager in charge, depending n weather cnditins, time f day, day f the week, and scheduled University events. Hwever, the nrmal pririties are as fllws: Fire exits f all buildings, fire hydrants and handicapped ramps, curb cuts, and entrances.

7 University-wned access rads and fire lanes fr emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks, etc.) t all buildings in the fllwing rder: Infirmary Residence Halls Tanglewd Fire hydrants Fire lanes Dining Hall Classrm buildings Administrative buildings and warehuse All ther buildings Sidewalks and steps in the fllwing rder: Sidewalks and steps frm residence halls t Lawrence Dining Center Suth High Street West Rsedale Avenue Sharpless Street Suth New Street University Avenue Suth Church Street Quad Interir sidewalks Parking lts in the fllwing rder: K Lt- behind Sykes Unin building G Lt- (Wd Lt); High Street acrss frm Philips Memrial E Lt- Lawrence Hall, west side D Lt- Lawrence Hall, east side M Lt- E.O. Bull Center W Lt- nrth and suth sides f 821 S. Matlack warehuse B Lt- Swpe Hall O Lt- Health Sciences Center N Lt- Health Sciences Center L Lt- behind tennis curts, ff Rslyn Avenue A Lt- Sharpless Street acrss frm McCarthy Hall F Lt- Nields Street acrss frm electrical sub-statin Suth Campus husing prject parking lt and access rad C Lt- Peples Building Q Lt- Suth f Farrell Stadium S Lt- acrss frm Suth Campus tennis curts X Lt- by Suth Campus tennis curts See Guidelines fr WCU Vehicle Usage During Severe Weather See Prcedure fr Assisting Physically-Challenged Student in Snw and Ice Cnditins

Hot Work Policy and Procedures

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