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100-CBO-01-IGDO © 2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
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WSPS.CA
Snow Plows, Loaders, and Box Blades
Snow plows are specialized equipment designed to
remove snow and ice from outdoor surfaces such as
roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks. They
typically consist of a large, angled or V-shaped
blade mounted on the front of a vehicle, which
pushes snow forward as the vehicle moves. Snow
plows attach to the vehicle's front frame using a
mounting system and generally operate through
hydraulic pressure or electrical connections to
raise, lower, and angle the blade. Common vehicles
equipped with snow plows include trucks, tractors,
and UTVs (utility terrain vehicles).
UTVs and open-cab tractors fitted with a plow, box blade, or loader should be equipped with a ROPS
(roll-over protective structure) to reduce rollover risks during operation. Equipment lacking a proper
ROPS should not be used near embankments or along slopes. As a general guideline, maintain a distance
from the edge of a slope equal to the slope's depth when operating such equipment. See center of gravity
for more information.
Box blades are similar to snow plow blades but are mounted to tractors either on the front-end loader or
as a pull-behind model attached to a three-point hitch.
When planning operations involving snow plows, loaders, or box blades, careful site assessment is
essential. Identify potential hazards such as curbs, raised manhole covers, or grate covers that could
catch the blade and damage equipment or property. Overhead electrical lines must also be clearly
identified and marked with reflective or high-visibility materials to ensure operator awareness and
safety.
Before beginning any snow plowing operation on existing snow, the work area should be inspected
for debris such as branches or logs. These materials must be removed prior to plowing, especially
when using equipment that pushes snow. Debris can be forced above the blade, posing serious risks of
impalement or crushing to the operator.
