SNOW LOAD ALERT - There are reports from all over the Country of heavier than normal snow fall.

The CRFC recommends that owners of workplaces and/or employers at workplaces where there is snow on the roof of buildings should have the roofs assessed by a professional engineer to determine whether:

• the snow load is significant, or

• there are any visible signs of structural distress (i.e. twisting, bending or cracking)

If snow is excessive or a roof shows signs of distress, the owner or employer should implement a safe snow removal procedure.

A snow removal operation should avoid producing any uneven or concentrated loading on the roof.

Areas onto which snow will be dumped from a roof should be secured to prevent access.

Also, workers on a roof must use fall-arrest or travel-restraint equipment in accordance with the fall protection requirements.

A civil or structural engineer should be consulted:

1. to determine whether snow loads are excessive;

2. to determine whether there are signs of structural distress;

3. to obtain a removal procedure that will not cause more structural problems; or

4. to reinforce a structure that is overstressed.

Other Related Resources:

http://www.orfa.com/orfaoldweb/Resources/Snowload%20Analysis.pdf