Over the next few weeks, the weather will change a lot during the day, i.e., a thaw and freezing rain are expected. In such conditions, accumulated snow and ice on roofs become particularly dangerous for both pedestrians and roof structures, so building managers are urged to clean roofs in a timely manner.
Snow falling from roofs is a hazard to pedestrians and can damage cars and objects of the city environment. Snow can also damage roof structures and, as the snow melts, cause roof leaks.
When clearing roofs, it is allowed to temporarily demarcate areas where snow and ice could fall. Permanently blocking the pavements without ensuring that pedestrians can safely bypass the enclosed area is not allowed. The only way to ensure pedestrian safety is to clean the roof and clear it of ice and snow.
Residents are urged to report on pavements which remain blocked for long periods of time due the hazard of snow and ice falling from roofs:
- Riga Municipal Police (RMP) by calling 110 or using the RMP app;
- by completing the e-application on the website riga.lv;
- Riga City Neighbourhood Residents Centre by calling +371 80000800 or by writing to aic@riga.lv, stating the address of the area not cleared of snow and ice and also attaching photographs.
In the Historic Centre of Riga and its protection zone, where the pavements are maintained this year by the municipality, building owners are required to clear snow and ice from the pavements after cleaning the roofs, as before. If the area is not cleaned up after snow clearing from the roof, the RMP will urge the building owner to clean the pavement within a few hours. If this is not done, the municipality will carry out the cleaning work by means of forced execution and the owner of the building will have to compensate the expenses related thereto.
Any obstruction placed on the pavement, including barrier tape, barriers and other enclosures, makes it difficult to maintain pavements mechanically. Already now the municipal police has received reports from pavement maintainers on places where pavement cleaning is not possible due to barriers put up by building managers.
If you are injured by snow or ice falling from a roof, you should immediately contact the State Emergency Medical Service of Latvia by calling 113. The State Emergency Medical Service of Latvia will pass the information on to the RMP which can afterwards initiate the administrative offence proceedings. If the injury is not immediately noticeable, it is recommended to memorise the exact address of the incident so that it can be reported to the RMP if any health consequences are discovered afterwards. The injured person must also apply to the RMP so that the police can declare him or her as an accident victim. The RMP will examine the application and provide information on the owner from whom the victim can claim compensation for the damage caused.
A fine can be imposed for not cleaning the roof. The maximum fine is 350 euros for natural persons and 1400 euros for legal persons.
This winter, two people have been injured by falling snow. The police initiated 74 infringement proceedings for uncleaned roofs. Last winter, 20 people were injured and 130 cars were damaged due to snow that was not removed from roofs. In total, 329 infringement proceedings for uncleaned house roofs were initiated by the RMP.