Winter is upon us!

Winter is fast approaching, with its share of joys and constraints. In particular, you will soon have to remove snow from the roofs. In this way, you preserve the structure of the building, but also the safety of the people who are there. This operation requires serious preparation and adapted equipment to limit the risks of falls, injuries or even burial. Is your roof flat? Find out everything you need to know to successfully remove snow.

What equipment should you provide?

Snow removal from a flat roof is prepared according to the rules. In particular, it is necessary to provide the equipment essential to access the roof, but also to ensure the smooth running of the operation:

• A roof hatch or skylight to access the roof;
• A guardrail to delimit the work area;
• A lifting device to access the roof more easily and securely;
• A snowfall equipped with a guardrail to direct the discharge of snow to a specific area on the ground;
• A warning line to keep a safe distance from the edge of the roof.

Preparing to remove snow from your flat roof safely

Preparation starts by identifying and delineating an area at ground level onto which snow from the roof will spill. It must remain inaccessible. A snowfall is then placed on the side of the flat roof corresponding to the area thus marked. After building a parapet, a buffer zone must be defined around the roof, about 2 meters from the edge of the roof. It can be delineated using a warning line. For the sake of safety, it is an area that must be forbidden to access, knowing that this will not harm the structure of the building. The preparation is completed with the installation of a roof hatch.

Removing snow from a flat roof safely

Once the various precautions have been taken, it is possible to go to the roof safely. The operation is generally carried out the day after a major snowfall. Note that a snow pusher is useful for directing the fall of snow and its discharge to the ground. Finally, it is not necessary to remove the snow entirely on the flat roof. On the contrary, it is advisable to leave a layer of about fifteen centimeters to preserve the structure of the debris. Find the essential safety equipment when removing snow from a roof at Prox-Secur. Also benefit from personalized advice for your projects.