Snow & Ice Removal Plan

Snow and Ice Removal Plan

Operational Overview

The intent of this plan is to protect lives and property and to effectively use available resources to maintain an appropriate level of operations during episodes of snow and ice for West Chester University. The plan will outline the coordinated support that Facilities Management will provide when hazardous conditions due to inclement winter weather exist. To reduce hazards to all personnel (i.e. faculty, staff, students and the general public) as a result of winter storms, snow and ice removal operations will begin at the earliest practical time and will continue as necessary until all traveled ways are clear.

Snow Season is defined as November 15th through March 15th, each year.

Facilities personnel from Grounds, Custodial and Plant Operations are considered essential personnel and are prepared to clear the parking lots, roads and sidewalks, so that people and vehicles can move about campus safely and WCU activities can proceed as usual. Essential employees are expected to report for duty during their assigned shifts. Exceptions will only be reviewed by Management and Employee and Labor Relations and granted on an individual case-by-case basis and only for compelling reasons. Snow & Ice abatement will take precedence over any non-emergency departmental business.

When adverse weather conditions affect the routine operation of the University, information regarding class cancellation, delayed openings, and/or University closings will be publicized via multifaceted communication media. Assessments, responses and decisions regarding class delays or cancellations will be conducted within the framework of the WCU Emergency Operations Plan . Generally, when adverse weather conditions make it inadvisable to operate the University, all University-related events or functions will be canceled. The WCU homepage will carry the most up-to-date and specific information regarding event cancellation or postponement notices.

In order to keep the campus operational during snow removal, a network of priority sidewalks (Snow Walks) has been selected. The Snow Walks shall be the first walks cleared during a snow event and every attempt shall be made to keep them open while the snow is still falling. Building entrances shall be cleared on a prioritized basis with the highest priority going to entrances that lead to Snow Walks.

Both the Executive Director of Facilities Campus Services and Manager of Grounds Maintenance will have shared responsibility for maintaining and executing this plan. A review of this plan and process will occur if snow and ice conditions are forecast to occur within the next 24-hour period.

Snow Walks Plan

The Snow Walk network will allow a person to get from any location on North Campus to any other location on North Campus. During a snow event, the university encourages the use of Snow Walks and avoiding unplowed paths. The Snow Walks will be safer, drier and less slippery than untouched walks.

ADA access was a major factor in determining the Snow Walk network. The University endeavors to provide equal mobility access. Of necessity, stairs and routes with stairs have a lower priority than Snow Walk routes.

The Snow Walk arrangement in South Campus is designed to get people either to bus stops or parking lots. The Snow Walk system in the more remote South Campus assumes that people will rely on private or public transportation to reach other campus buildings. Owing to the design of the SC Apartments, stairways shall be integrated into the Snow Walk net. Within the apartment complex, the Snow Walk system will operate in a similar manner to North Campus.

To Report Hazardous Conditions:

· Help Facilities maintain a safe campus by alerting us to potential ice hazards that you observe or are reported to you.

· Call Work Control at x2444 (8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday).

· After hours: report emergencies to Public Safety at x3311.

Campus Zones

During a snow/ice event, the campus shall be divided into five distinct zones, (A-E). Each zone shall have assigned personnel and equipment. Each zone shall be cleared/deiced according to the Snow Walks, priority parking lots, and priority entrances first. Once these elements are cleared, the remainder of the zone shall be opened. The blue lines in each of the following zone maps indicate the paths in the Snow Walk system.

Zone A: New St. to Church St
Zone B: Church St. to High St (Includes Linden St.)
Zone C: East Campus: High St. to Matlack St.
Zone D: South Campus: West of S. New St.
Zone E: South Campus: East of S. New St.