Q. Which is more correct when needed for safe walking during Shabbat, salting the ice with sand and salt or using a metal scrapper to break the ice?
A. On question 392 regarding spreading sand on ice on Shabbos we wrote: "When spreading sand you have to be concerned with the 'Boneh' or building prohibition. If the surface is paved, cemented or tiled, Poiskim mostly permit, in order to avoid injury, spreading the sand or salt-sand mix, as it will not stay and is expected to be washed away on warm weather, It is better to use sawdust for that same reason (see Mishna Berura 313: 55, Shemiras Shabbos K. 25: 9).
In regards to the Muktzeh prohibition, if the sand or sawdust was prepared or set apart before Shabbos for a permitted use, it is not Muktze. However, even if it was not, Poiskim would remove the Muktzeh prohibition when protecting the public from harm (Sh’miras Shabbos K’ ibid., 39 Melochos 2: p. 369).
If available, one should ask a Gentile to do the above.
On question 393 in regard to using a metal scrapper to break ice on a path or steps during Shabbos, we wrote: "Mishna Berura (320: 36) quotes Mogen Avrohom’s opinion that there is a difference between breaking ice collected on a vessel, which the Shulchan Aruch (ibid. 10) permits and chopping ice that is attached to the ground, where it may be considered building or demolishing. However Mishna Berura mentions that many Poskim disagree and rules that in need the ice can be broken.
There may be also issues of Muktze (Shulchan Atzei Shitim and Chasam Sofer, quoted in 39 Melochos 2, Dosh, note 167. Using a scraper would be “Tiltul Min Hatzad”, similar to a broom) however, when public safety is a concern, as stated in the previous question, it does not apply."
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that it is better to use the salt rather than the metal scrapper since it mat actually scratch or fill in cracks on the paved, cemented or tiled surface covered with ice.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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