| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Park truck in safe location | Being struck by passing vehicles, poor visibility | Park in designated pull off or yard; activate hazard lights; avoid parking on road shoulder when possible |
| Exit cab carefully | Slips on ice, falls due to snow buildup | Maintain three points of contact; test ground surface before stepping down; clear ice near door if needed |
| Inspect ladder and truck surfaces | Ladder rungs iced over, slippery steps, damaged ladder | Knock off ice and snow; ensure rungs and grab handles are clean; confirm ladder is not bent or loose |
| Don winter PPE | Cold stress, reduced grip | Wear slip resistant boots, winter gloves with grip, and traction cleats if approved |
| Climb ladder cautiously | Slips on icy rungs, fall from height, poor footing | Maintain three points of contact; climb slowly; do not carry tools in hand; keep weight centered |
| Look inside dump body | Loss of balance, leaning too far, snow or sleet blowing into eyes | Stand squarely on ladder; avoid leaning past side rails; use flashlight if needed; keep one hand on grab bar |
| Assess salt condition | Falling debris, shifting salt | Look before touching; do not reach into unstable salt piles; identify large chunks visually |
| Descend ladder safely | Slips while descending, rushing due to cold | Face the ladder; maintain three points of contact; descend slowly even in cold or precipitation |
| Re enter cab | Slips on running board, snow on boots | Knock snow from boots; maintain three points of contact; avoid rushing |
| Document issue if severe | Repeated clogging problems, mechanical issues | Note oversized or frozen material; report to supervisor for yard management |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility jacket or vest (Class 3 recommended in winter ops)
Steel toe boots with slip resistant soles
Winter gloves with good grip
Insulated clothing appropriate for cold weather
Ice cleats or traction devices (department approved)
Avoid climbing entirely when possible. Use ground level inspection tools or install camera systems if budget allows.
If the ladder is too icy to use safely, do not climb. Follow your department’s stop work policy.
Consider using a coworker for spotter duty, especially in active storm conditions.
Keep salt sheds dry to reduce chunking incidents and minimize the need for overhead inspection.
Apply anti slip grit or mats around the truck when parked on ice.
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Winter Maintenance
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Park truck in safe location | Being struck by passing vehicles, poor visibility | Park in designated pull off or yard; activate hazard lights; avoid parking on road shoulder when possible |
| Exit cab carefully | Slips on ice, falls due to snow buildup | Maintain three points of contact; test ground surface before stepping down; clear ice near door if needed |
| Inspect ladder and truck surfaces | Ladder rungs iced over, slippery steps, damaged ladder | Knock off ice and snow; ensure rungs and grab handles are clean; confirm ladder is not bent or loose |
| Don winter PPE | Cold stress, reduced grip | Wear slip resistant boots, winter gloves with grip, and traction cleats if approved |
| Climb ladder cautiously | Slips on icy rungs, fall from height, poor footing | Maintain three points of contact; climb slowly; do not carry tools in hand; keep weight centered |
| Look inside dump body | Loss of balance, leaning too far, snow or sleet blowing into eyes | Stand squarely on ladder; avoid leaning past side rails; use flashlight if needed; keep one hand on grab bar |
| Assess salt condition | Falling debris, shifting salt | Look before touching; do not reach into unstable salt piles; identify large chunks visually |
| Descend ladder safely | Slips while descending, rushing due to cold | Face the ladder; maintain three points of contact; descend slowly even in cold or precipitation |
| Re enter cab | Slips on running board, snow on boots | Knock snow from boots; maintain three points of contact; avoid rushing |
| Document issue if severe | Repeated clogging problems, mechanical issues | Note oversized or frozen material; report to supervisor for yard management |
Hard hat
Safety glasses
High visibility jacket or vest (Class 3 recommended in winter ops)
Steel toe boots with slip resistant soles
Winter gloves with good grip
Insulated clothing appropriate for cold weather
Ice cleats or traction devices (department approved)
Avoid climbing entirely when possible. Use ground level inspection tools or install camera systems if budget allows.
If the ladder is too icy to use safely, do not climb. Follow your department’s stop work policy.
Consider using a coworker for spotter duty, especially in active storm conditions.
Keep salt sheds dry to reduce chunking incidents and minimize the need for overhead inspection.
Apply anti slip grit or mats around the truck when parked on ice.