Snowplow driving: key solutions for safety, efficiency and training

Snowplow drivers are essential in snowy areas during winter. They ensure roads are clear and safe to drive on so society can continue to operate despite the weather. However, snowplow drivers often face dangerous conditions like slippery roads, limited visibility and unknown obstacles under the snow.

To ensure drivers stay safe and follow snowplow best practices, specialized training is indispensable. Learn how to train drivers effectively at any time of the year - not just when it snows. 

The importance of advanced snowplow training

While snow is nice to look at, it can be extremely deceiving. Snow can be hard or soft and easily hide obstacles or ice underneath it. There’s a reason more than 1,300 people are killed and over 116,800 injured annually in vehicle crashes under winter driving conditions. 

In addition to crashes, snowplow drivers can get injured by:

• Equipment malfunction
• Exposure to chemicals (de-icers or road salt)
• Falling
• Frostbite
• Heavy lifting
• Hidden hazards under the snow
• Hypothermia
• Limited visibility
• Low-hanging power lines
• Other drivers
• Slipping
• Repetitive movement 
• Trench foot
• Tripping

Proper training on snowplow best practices helps ensure drivers know what they’re doing when alone on the road. Even experienced drivers should receive ongoing training to prevent bad habits from forming. A Driver Training Solutions simulator can provide both new and experienced drivers real-world training without the real-world risks.

Keeping drivers informed and safe is crucial to running a successful plowing company and retaining drivers - who will feel more loyal to your company when they know you’re investing in their safety and professional development. 

Snow removal best practices for safety 

Here are the key safety protocols all snowplow drivers should follow for a successful workday. 

1. Wear the right equipment

All plowers should wear clothing that keeps them warm and easily visible. This will help prevent injuries due to weather conditions or other drivers.

Proper clothing includes:

• A reflective vest
• A winter hat
• A winter jacket
• Slip-resistant boots with thick treads
• Thick gloves 

2. Understand how snowplow equipment works

Plow equipment is unique, and a lack of understanding of how to operate it is dangerous. Drivers are interacting with sharp metal and potentially harmful chemicals. They need to know how the equipment works to handle their plows safely.

Plow drivers use hydraulic attachments to change the angle and height of plow blades without leaving the vehicle. These attachments can also help extend the blades' range to wider areas, such as parking lots. 

Some plows also come with a salt spreader, which can be attached to the back of the truck or a completely separate trailer. Often, drivers can control how much salt is released from the cab, which improves efficiency while keeping drivers warm.

A thorough understanding of the equipment they’re working with makes for safer and more effective snowplow drivers.

3. Inspect equipment regularly

Another snow removal best practice is ensuring the equipment is installed and cared for properly, which includes cleaning the tools safely after use. This keeps things running smoothly and helps prevent injuries.

When inspecting equipment, drivers should search for signs of worn-out blades, hydraulic fluid leaks, or loose bolts and nuts. They must also confirm that the salt spreader is filled to the right amount and has the correct settings turned on.

Additionally, drivers should verify that their cab has three points of contact for climbing into the vehicle. This could be two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Either way, the three-point contact system minimizes the chances of slipping. 

4. Vehicle maintenance

Proper inspections can prevent accidents and driver injuries. Inspections are especially important before snow starts to fall. All plow companies must have a pre-season inspection to ensure all vehicles are in working condition.

In addition to pre-season inspections, the following should be regularly monitored and maintained:

• Functionality of all lights
• Attachment security
• Battery performance
• Braking ability
• Fluid levels
• Signs of leaks
• Tire pressure
• Windshield and mirror cleanliness

5. Continuous training

According to the National Safety Council, a comprehensive plow truck training program incorporates both lectures and hands-on practice. Snowfighter training with a Driver Training Solutions simulator can help you provide quality hands-on training in a controlled yet lifelike environment. Best of all, a simulator allows you to conduct training year-round so drivers are prepared before winter.

Effective training develops drivers’ spatial awareness and muscle memory and helps them understand:

• When to plow 
• Why it’s crucial to be careful around curbs 
• Why they cannot place snow in high-traffic areas 
• Better braking strategies 
• How to communicate with other drivers 
• How to adjust blades for different needs

Ongoing driver training is essential to refresh drivers on snowplow best practices and ward off any bad habits that may begin to form. Removing snow is a complex task, and drivers should regularly be informed about new methods, equipment, and circumstances that may affect their work. 

Efficient snowplowing techniques

Efficiency is key when it comes to snowplowing - people need to be able to get on the road safely as soon as possible after a snowfall. That’s why drivers and companies should ensure they utilize the best technology and methods to remove snow. 

Snow removal companies can create a more efficient fleet through:

• Driver monitoring technology: Monitoring technology provides managers with information on a driver’s performance so they can better tailor training programs.
• Plowing at low-traffic times: Doing the job at low-traffic times, such as early in the morning or at night, allows drivers to clear snow uninterrupted, which means the work is completed faster. 
• Optimizing plowing routes: High-traffic areas such as highways and parking lots are always a priority, and optimizing routes allows a wider spread of the fleet to ensure all priority areas are cleared quickly. 
• Simulator training: Ample practice with a simulator helps drivers refine their skills, which results in more efficient equipment handling.
• Route planning technology: Making use of route planning technology helps minimize fuel consumption while avoiding high-traffic times of the day. 
• Plowing and spreading salt with a single driver: Having one driver do both tasks while on the road makes for more efficient snowplowing. 
• Using the right blades: There are many different types of snowplow blades. Knowing which ones work best for different road surfaces and conditions is crucial.
• Teaching drivers multiple snowplow techniques: There are many different snow clearing strategies, such as the Power V Technique, Inverse V Technique, and Backdrag Technique. 

Invest in a comprehensive training program today

Quality driver training improves safety on the road, enhances operational efficiency, and ultimately boosts your company’s bottom line. With our onsite snowplow operator training, you can choose from a variety of programs at multiple difficulty levels to suit drivers of all experience levels. Our training delivers realistic, hands-on instruction to help operators master snowplow operations in a safe, controlled environment.