As a commercial property manager or business owner, finding the right snow contractor is an important task to take here in the Denver area. Snow and ice are just a part of life here, and with winter weather comes the risk of slip-and-fall accidents and other personal injury claims. If you own or manage a commercial property in Denver, how can you ensure that your snow removal contractor is able to properly handle snow and ice while minimizing the risk of accidents? The best way is to look for an experienced, certified snow removal company.
Here are the three leading industry certifications to look for in a professional Snow Removal Contractor:
Three Certifications Every Snow Contractor Should Have
ASCA Certified (ASCA-C)
The Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) is an organization focused on both educating snow contractors and bringing positive legislative change to the laws surrounding the industry. The ASCA collaborated with ANSI (the American National Standards Institute) to create what is known as the Industry Standards for the snow and ice management industry.
These Industry Standards are nationally recognized as a set of best practices and risk management for the industry. They were developed in close collaboration with the insurance industry; this means that compliant ASCA members tend to have a significantly higher chance of slip-and-fall claims being dismissed since they are adhering to these Industry Standards.
ASCA certification (ASCA-C) was developed for individual contractors, not the company as a whole. This means that business owners, managers, and the service providers themselves are encouraged to each undergo training and earn their certification. Certification requires 10 hours of ASCA courses and must be renewed annually.
ASCA-C is recognized as the leading certification in the snow and ice management industry. Snow Management Services is proud to state that our entire management and office staff are all ASCA certified.
SIMA Certified Snow Professional (CSP)
The Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) is an organization that focuses on education and training for snow removal professionals. SIMA also has their own certification in the snow and ice management industry – the Certified Snow Professional (CSP). CSP certification shows that your company not only has the experience, but the training and educational backing to confidently provide quality snow and ice removal services.
To earn a SIMA CSP certification, applicants must have a certain number of years of experience in the field, as well obtain a number of credits earned by attending educational or training sessions, or participating in organization events such as their annual Snow & Ice Symposium. They must also earn these credits yearly, which promotes both continued education/training and participation in the organization.
SMS is a proud member of SIMA and several members of our staff have SIMA CSP certifications.
SN 9001
SN 9001 is a quality management system created specifically for the snow and ice management industry. It was developed by the ASCA, while laying out additional requirements relevant to the snow and ice management industry and the ASCA’s Industry Standards.
Snow contractors with SN 9001 certifications must maintain meticulous records about standard operating procedures and employee education/training to ensure they’re complying with these standards. SN 9001 business certifications are renewed annually by independent, third-party audits.
Looking for a Certified Commercial Snow Contractor in the Denver Metro Area?
Keep your business or commercial property covered with Snow Management Services. We have been managing Denver-area properties for over 25 years, and our certifications and experience allow us to confidently manage the worst winter has to throw at us. We offer the full range of snow removal and de-icing services – starting with in-depth winter planning & risk management – including sidewalk management and off-site snow hauling. To see how SMS can keep your Denver commercial property prepared for whatever winters throw at you, give us a call today at (303) 750-8867 or get in touch with us online to get started.