![\"A](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Stephen-Graves-repairs-a-plow-truck-1050x788.jpg\")
Mechanics like Stephen Graves support Facilities Management\u2019s grounds services crews by maintaining and repairing snow removal equipment. Graves is pictured repairing a plow truck.<\/p><\/div>\n
A snow and ice removal priority map<\/a> on the Facilities Management website illustrates the locations on campus that are maintained, and which areas receive attention first.<\/p>\n In addition to roads, sidewalks and parking lots, there are many other areas on campus that require snow removal but are inaccessible to large drivable equipment, such as doorways and stairwells. Dick said there is a lot of difficult handwork that needs to be done with shovels and snowblowers.<\/p>\n \u201cThink about how much shovelling we all did on our own driveways during the snowstorms,\u201d he said. \u201cNow, imagine shovelling for eight hours or more, several days in a row. It\u2019s a tough job.\u201d<\/p>\n Brock\u2019s custodial team also plays an important role in preventing slips, trips and falls by frequently vacuuming and deep cleaning interior entrances to buildings. More than 160 floor mats are located at high-traffic entrances across campus to help absorb water and collect debris.<\/p>\n Despite the collective efforts from Brock employees to keep campus safe, it’s still important that students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus be mindful of the weather conditions and take precautions against winter hazards.<\/p>\n Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Dan Pozzobon said one of the most prevalent causes of incidents in the winter is people taking shortcuts through unmaintained areas or piles of snow instead of staying on cleared pathways.<\/p>\n Pozzobon recommends sticking to designated areas, wearing good quality footwear that offers warmth, thick tread and good traction, and cautions people to avoid rushing.<\/p>\n \u201cSlow down and place each step carefully,\u201d he said. \u201cCheck the weather forecast and plan for extra time to get to campus. Incidents happen when we\u2019re not paying close enough attention to our surroundings and we\u2019re not taking the time needed to navigate possible slippery surfaces.\u201d<\/p>\n Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to report unsafe conditions on outdoor pedestrian surfaces to the Facilities Management Customer Service One Call Hotline at 905-688-5550 x3717, Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outside of these hours, or if the University is closed, urgent slip and trip circumstances can be reported to Campus Security Services at 905-688-5550 x3200.<\/p>\n If an incident, injury, near miss or health and safety hazard is observed, report it to a person of authority such as an area supervisor or Brock employee. Circumstances should be reported through an injury\/incident report<\/a>.<\/p>\n