Insite Online - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009(Plain Text Version)
In this issue:
HAI Group Newsletter Changing Name, Format
Wrapping Up…
Falek Captures NAHRO Award
Never Underestimate the Value of Giving
Legislative Affairs
Green is the Color of Public Housing
Risk Corner
Group Viewing Has its Benefits
Protecting Assets through Preventive Maintenance
Inspection Guidelines Are Important
Snow Big Deal
Snow Big Deal
With winter right around the corner, it is time to consider your snow removal policy. The arrival of snow brings challenges to residential occupancies. Snow and ice is one of the most common causes of a slip, trip or fall claim. Proper snow and ice removal may reduce the number of claims at your housing entity and a reduction in money spent on these claims. In addition to slip, trip or fall claims, residential occupancies must be conscious of claims arising from property damage caused by snow plows.
Many residential occupants use their own equipment and manpower to clear snow from sidewalks and parking lots. The following information can help guide your snow removal policy. The two most important steps are to have a written snow removal policy and to enforce it. The following tips should be included in this policy.
- All snow removal should be documented and records should be kept for at least three years
- Weather conditions, amount of salt spread, date and time work began and ended, and the employee that performed the work needs to be documented
- When snow is falling, depending on accumulation, the maintenance staff should shovel sidewalks and plow around tenants’ cars in parking lots on a continual basis
- On the day following the end of the snow storm, tenants are required to remove vehicles from the parking areas. There will be a set schedule established ahead of time to allow tenants to make arrangements
- The schedule should be posted in several areas throughout the building and may be announced on the PA system (if available)
- Tenants who fail to cooperate in moving their vehicles when plowing is scheduled will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense
- Any snow removal requirements assigned as the tenants’ responsibility should be clearly documented and placed as an addendum in the lease.
By having tenants move their vehicles, you will be able to plow the space between vehicles. Removal of this snow will decrease the chance for claims that would normally arise from the snow between cars melting and refreezing. Having tenants remove vehicles decreases the chance employees damage tenant vehicle with the snow plow.
If you do not want to have tenants move vehicles, you may consider having staff shovel the snow that remains between vehicles. This snow removal process may take more time and manpower, but the entity will save money in the long run by reducing claims.
If there are questions regarding these procedures, or you need a sample snow removal policy, contact Risk Control Associate Elizabeth Rohr at 800-873-0242, ext. 228.