ON-AIR SEGMENT: Michele Ledoux talks snow roof removal safety

LOWVILLE- The recent accumulation of snow in many areas throughout New York state has caused some agricultural buildings to fail, according to an update from officials at Cornell University.

Failure can be the result of several items linked to the snow load present on the building. These items include but are not limited to:

1. Improper building design
2. Improper building construction
3. Actual snow load exceeds design snow load
4. Imbalance of snow load on roof
5. Failure of one key member causing others to fail as a result of load transfer (domino effect)

Wood structures will show stress before they fail unlike metal structures that usually will not. For a wood structure, the following audible and or visual signs may be noticed prior to failure:

1. Creaking or moaning in the building
2. Bowing of truss bottom chords or web members
3. Bowing of rafters or purlins
4. Bowing of headers or columns
5. Heavy Snow Loads

Be sure to listen to some of our latest on-air coverage from Monday, December 9, 2024 with Michele Ledoux, Executive Director for Lewis County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office:

Images via OSHA and Cornell Cooperative Extension.