With yet another Snowfall Warning issued today it seems to important to post this warning for parents and children, from the Airdrie Public Works Department many of the large snow banks created by snowplows and graders are removed throughout the city.
“Snow banks around the city are an attraction to kids, but can present many dangers to the children that play in them, especially where the snowplow and grader operators are doing their work,” said Lorne Stevens, public works and engineering manager for the City of Airdrie.
One close call was avoided by city workers’ due diligence. “We came across one instance recently when our guys went in to to remove the snow. They were doing a workplace assessment and they found some kids who had tunneled into a snow bank,” Stevens said. “I’m not professing this as a close call, near miss type of thing but I think it could come in handy and serves a lesson for parents to talk to their kids.”
The kids happened to be in the tunnel at the time and were removed safely before the snow bank was cleared. A walk-around is standard procedure before starting any project.
“Anytime our guys are going to out perform any sort of job it is a walk around the site to observe potential hazards ” Stevens said. “If we’re going in to do a water dig or something we’re focused on potential hazards in the area.
Low daylight in the early mornings and evenings, as well as physical obstructions can make it difficult for snowplow operators to spot children on or near snow banks. The changing weather also poses some risks as the snow gets softer and tunnels could potentially collapse.
Bill
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