Snow Gets the Attention. Ice Causes the Accidents.

When people think about winter on a commercial property, they think about snow: how much is coming, when the plows will show up, where the piles will go. But snow isn’t what sends people to the emergency room. Ice is. Ice untreated is the No. 1 cause for slips and falls, and it can form on nights when not a single flake falls. 

For property managers and facility managers, that changes the question. It isn’t “Is the lot plowed?” It’s “Is it safe?” 

Want to know where ice is putting your property at risk? Call or email us, and we’ll respond immediately. 
(517) 202-5543
info@rdlandscape.com 

Why Ice Is the Bigger Risk 

Snow is easy to see. People slow down, watch their step and take the long way around a pile. Ice is different. It often looks like wet pavement, or like nothing at all, and that’s exactly why it catches people off guard. 

Refreezing and black ice cause more slips than snow. A thin layer on a walkway, a ramp or a parking space is enough to take someone’s feet out from under them. 

How Ice Forms When It Hasn’t Snowed 

Some of the most dangerous conditions show up on clear days: 

• Refreezing overnight: snow melts in the afternoon sun, runs across the pavement and freezes solid after dark. 
• Black ice: a thin, clear layer that blends into the pavement and is nearly impossible to see. 
• Meltwater from snow piles: piles stacked in the wrong place drain across walkways and drive lanes, then refreeze. 
• Shaded spots: areas next to buildings, under canopies and along tree lines stay colder and hold ice long after the rest of the lot is clear. 
• Low spots and drainage: water collects where the pavement dips or downspouts empty, and freezes there first. 

The Timing Problem 

Conditions change by the hour. A walkway that looked fine at 6 a.m. and isn’t at 9 a.m.… or 6 p.m. The early crew walks in on dry pavement. By midmorning, meltwater has spread across the entrance. By the evening shift change, it’s frozen again. 

That’s why ice can’t be handled once and forgotten. It has to be watched. 

Where Ice Hides on a Commercial Property 

Ice tends to form in the places people use most: 

• Main and side entryways 
• Walkways, sidewalks and stairs 
• Accessible ramps and curb cuts 
• Parking spaces closest to the building 
• Loading docks, dumpster pads and turning areas 
• Employee lots and back entrances that get less attention 

If your snow and ice management plan only covers the main lot and the front door, the rest of these spots are left to chance. 

Who’s at Risk 

Every person who sets foot on your property in winter depends on it being safe: 

• Tenants and residents heading out early and coming home after dark 
• Employees arriving before sunrise and leaving after the last shift 
• Visitors, guests and patients who don’t know the property or where the slick spots are 
• Delivery drivers unloading food, linens, supplies and freight at the dock 

Your tenants, employees and visitors deserve to walk in safely and leave the same way. Protecting them protects your business too. A single slip can mean a serious injury for them and serious liability for you. 

What Proactive Ice Management Looks Like 

The difference between a good provider and an average one shows up in how they handle ice. Proactive ice management means: 

• Watching conditions, not just the forecast: monitoring changing pavement conditions as temperatures rise and fall through the day and night 
• Treating before, not after: handling ice before it becomes a problem, not after someone has already slipped 
• Not waiting for a snowfall total: icy conditions call for treatment even when there’s barely any snow on the ground 
• Covering every access point: not just the main lot, but the entrances, walkways, ramps and docks where people actually walk 
• Keeping you informed: you should know the plan, the progress and what to expect, every event 

How R&D Landscape Handles Ice 

At R&D Landscape, our job doesn’t end when the plow leaves. We watch changing pavement conditions and treat the ice before it becomes a problem, not after someone has already slipped. Every property gets a site-specific plan, the right equipment at the right time, and a prepared crew before each storm. 

Since 2001, R&D has helped keep Mid-Michigan hospitals, senior living communities, schools and campuses, office buildings, HOAs, hotels, restaurants, grocery and retail centers open, accessible and safe all winter long. 

Your liability is our priority. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is black ice? 
Black ice is a thin, clear layer of ice that forms on pavement and blends in with the surface beneath it. Because it’s so hard to see, it’s one of the most common causes of winter slips and falls. 

Why does ice form on days when it doesn’t snow? 
Snow and ice melt during the day, spread across pavement and refreeze when temperatures drop. Shaded areas, low spots and areas near snow piles are especially prone to refreezing. 

When should ice be treated on a commercial property? 
Before someone slips. Proactive ice management means monitoring conditions and treating ice before it becomes a hazard, rather than waiting for a complaint, a snowfall total or an incident. 

How can property managers reduce slip-and-fall risk in winter? 
Make sure your snow and ice management plan covers every access point, includes ice monitoring and treatment (not just plowing), puts snow piles where meltwater won’t run across walkways, and includes clear communication every event. 

Is Your Property Ready for Ice Season? 

Snow happens. Slips don’t have to. Call or email us, and we’ll respond immediately.
(517) 202-5543 │ info@rdlandscape.com │ rdlandscape.com 

Your liability is our priority.