Background
ABOUT ASCA
The Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) was formed in 2012 with two primary objectives: to provide the professional snow contractor with formalized education to ensure continued risk reduction in the industry, and to change the laws that drive insurance rates up and create imbalance, unfair competitive practices, and safety issues for our industry. These goals were established in recognition that the outside world (property managers, insurance companies, and legislative bodies) did not look favorably upon the snow and ice management industry. Our efforts directly result in lower insurance costs and a reduction of the number of slip-and-fall lawsuits you are unfairly exposed to. This means more money in your pocket.
To meet these goals, the ASCA established four pillars to serve as the foundation on which ASCA member companies base their businesses. These four pillars differentiate ASCA member companies from other industry snow and ice removal operations and allow them to better manage their risk:
PILLAR 1: Written Industry Standards
The central component to the ASCA is the publication and maintenance of the System Requirements for Snow and Ice Management Services: ANSI/ASCA A1000-2014, more commonly known as the Industry Standards. These industry standards are the only nationally approved standards that provide companies with procedures to reduce risk and provide the proper documentation and procedures in defense of a potential slip-and-fall lawsuit. Recognized by insurance companies and ASCA member companies that adhere with ASCA-C employees enjoy an average 15% discount in insurance rates and enjoy a significant rate of dismissal for slip-and-fall claims.
PILLAR 2: Education (ASCA-C)
ASCA Certification is an annual certification process developed for individuals who work in the professional snow and ice management industry. An ASCA Certified (ASCA-C) snow contractor has obtained an education-based certification developed for the individual. The education is risk management based and was developed to support the ANSI Approved American National Standards for the Snow and Ice Management Industry (Industry Standards). ASCA-C status requires the completion of 10 hours of ASCA-sanctioned education annually, as well as being a member in good standing. ASCA-C is the leading certification in the snow and ice management industry.
PILLAR 3: Verification (ISO 9001/SN9001)
In its continued support of contractor education and certification, the ASCA created a quality management system specifically for the professional snow and ice management industry. SN 9001 – a system exclusive to professional snow contractors -- works in conjunction with the existing ISO 9001. This program is based on ISO 9001 with additional requirements based on our industry and the Industry Standards. Contractors earn ISO9001/SN9001 certification through an independent, third-party audit that focuses on processes and procedures that adhere to service quality, as well as the implementation of the Industry Standards for the professional snow and ice management industry.
PILLAR 4: Positive legislative change
The ASCA leads the way in initiating positive legislative change that protects professional snow and ice management companies. The ASCA’s model legislation -- The Snow Plow and Deicing Limited Liability Act -- levels the playing field and eliminates the practice of property owners and property managers passing on their liability to snow and ice management companies. The ASCA organizes legislative days throughout the country and in Washington D.C. to introduce and lobby for The Snow Plow and Deicing Limited Liability Act and other bills to protect the industry. Because of state-based legislative days, The Snow Plow and Deicing Limited Liability Act is finding rousing success in the halls of state governments across the country. To date, the legislation has been signed into law in Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and it has been introduced for consideration in a number of other snow states.
The Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) was formed in 2012 with two primary objectives: to provide the professional snow contractor with formalized education to ensure continued risk reduction in the industry, and to change the laws that drive insurance rates up and create imbalance, unfair competitive practices, and safety issues for our industry. These goals were established in recognition that the outside world (property managers, insurance companies, and legislative bodies) did not look favorably upon the snow and ice management industry. Our efforts directly result in lower insurance costs and a reduction of the number of slip-and-fall lawsuits you are unfairly exposed to. This means more money in your pocket.
To meet these goals, the ASCA established four pillars to serve as the foundation on which ASCA member companies base their businesses. These four pillars differentiate ASCA member companies from other industry snow and ice removal operations and allow them to better manage their risk:
PILLAR 1: Written Industry Standards
The central component to the ASCA is the publication and maintenance of the System Requirements for Snow and Ice Management Services: ANSI/ASCA A1000-2014, more commonly known as the Industry Standards. These industry standards are the only nationally approved standards that provide companies with procedures to reduce risk and provide the proper documentation and procedures in defense of a potential slip-and-fall lawsuit. Recognized by insurance companies and ASCA member companies that adhere with ASCA-C employees enjoy an average 15% discount in insurance rates and enjoy a significant rate of dismissal for slip-and-fall claims.
PILLAR 2: Education (ASCA-C)
ASCA Certification is an annual certification process developed for individuals who work in the professional snow and ice management industry. An ASCA Certified (ASCA-C) snow contractor has obtained an education-based certification developed for the individual. The education is risk management based and was developed to support the ANSI Approved American National Standards for the Snow and Ice Management Industry (Industry Standards). ASCA-C status requires the completion of 10 hours of ASCA-sanctioned education annually, as well as being a member in good standing. ASCA-C is the leading certification in the snow and ice management industry.
PILLAR 3: Verification (ISO 9001/SN9001)
In its continued support of contractor education and certification, the ASCA created a quality management system specifically for the professional snow and ice management industry. SN 9001 – a system exclusive to professional snow contractors -- works in conjunction with the existing ISO 9001. This program is based on ISO 9001 with additional requirements based on our industry and the Industry Standards. Contractors earn ISO9001/SN9001 certification through an independent, third-party audit that focuses on processes and procedures that adhere to service quality, as well as the implementation of the Industry Standards for the professional snow and ice management industry.
PILLAR 4: Positive legislative change
The ASCA leads the way in initiating positive legislative change that protects professional snow and ice management companies. The ASCA’s model legislation -- The Snow Plow and Deicing Limited Liability Act -- levels the playing field and eliminates the practice of property owners and property managers passing on their liability to snow and ice management companies. The ASCA organizes legislative days throughout the country and in Washington D.C. to introduce and lobby for The Snow Plow and Deicing Limited Liability Act and other bills to protect the industry. Because of state-based legislative days, The Snow Plow and Deicing Limited Liability Act is finding rousing success in the halls of state governments across the country. To date, the legislation has been signed into law in Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and it has been introduced for consideration in a number of other snow states.