While snow and ice removal might seem like a straightforward service, there’s an abundance of effort and planning involved in ensuring the snow and ice management process is safely and effectively managed for commercial properties. It’s critical to work with an experienced and proven team.
Trust Chain Store Maintenance for
Reliable, Immediate Commercial Property Services
The Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) is the go-to organization for snow professionals and providers, and it’s worth asking your potential snow removal partners if they have SIMA-certified pros on staff. Here’s why.
Why You Need a SIMA-Certified Snow Professional
About SIMA certification
SIMA offers a program that has become the industry standard for certifying snow and ice removal professionals by validating their knowledge in six key areas: the science of snow and ice operations, snow and ice operations management, risk management, human resources, business management, and sales and estimating. To earn the Certified Snow Professional (CSP) certification, candidates must pass an extensive exam with 200 questions across the six key areas of focus, attaining a grade of at least 70%.
Being a CSP doesn’t end with the program’s rigorous certification exam. Maintaining the CSP designation also requires earning 15 hours of continuing education credits each year through attending industry-related conferences and trade shows, attending snow-focused seminars/webinars, writing industry-related articles or preparing presentations, and other professional development opportunities.
Related Article: New To Snow And Ice Removal? Here Are The Key Terms To Know
The benefits of SIMA certification
So, what are the real benefits of hiring a snow and ice removal partner with CSPs on their team?
Safety and accessibility
A high level of snow and ice removal expertise is essential for safeguarding your commercial property throughout the winter season. From ensuring traffic (including foot traffic) can safely enter and traverse the property to preventing serious slips and falls and related injuries, safety and accessibility are everyone’s highest priorities. SIMA certification not only validates a provider’s ability to safely manage snow removal; it also affirms your commitment to the importance of safe snow removal to employees, tenants, customers and guests of your commercial properties.
Best practices
How can you be sure your snow removal provider has the proper knowledge, equipment, protocols and experience to quickly and efficiently clear your properties even in heavy snow and ice conditions? SIMA certification helps confirm your provider is armed with the right tools and process knowledge for the job, so your properties can continue to operate as usual. You can feel confident that a company you hire with CSPs on staff are educated and up-to-date and the latest best practices.
Reduced liability
Winter weather can lead to a host of liabilities for commercial properties—both in accessibility by the general public and in the snow removal process itself and the heavy equipment that providers use. Working with a SIMA-certified provider helps reduce your liability through their comprehensive training and protocols for snow removal that are designed to enhance both safety and accessibility.
Peace of mind
When you choose a provider with SIMA-certified snow professionals on their team, you can rest assured knowing they’ve not only been highly trained in snow and ice removal, but that they also realize it doesn’t end with a certificate. The ongoing annual training required of CSPs ensures they stay knowledgeable on the latest industry trends and products to help them better meet your snow removal needs.
Choose a snow removal partner with SIMA-certified snow professionals
Selecting a snow removal partner with professionals certified by SIMA helps ensure you have a partner who is committed to safely and effectively delivering the snow and ice removal services you need. Chain Store Maintenance - an MCS Company is a trusted snow and ice removal provider with three SIMA-certified snow professionals on staff. To request a quote, contact your Chain Store account representative or email CSMsales@ChainStore.com.
Learn more about best practices for snow and ice removal in our eBook, Snow Removal Best Practices for Before, During and After the Season.
