SportsTurf

October 2014

SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.

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T he removal of snow and ice during winter months in North America can be some of the most difficult and stressful work many of you will manage throughout the year. Challenges to this work include managing a crew or number of crews, large storms with significant snow and/or ice, fatigue from long hours, and hazardous conditions for both employees and patrons/visitors to the location. Finally, you may be asked to tackle these problems all while staying within or below budgeted constraints. Even with budget considerations, snow and ice management at your facility must be examined with the overall goal in mind; maintaining a safe environment for pedestrians and vehicles, allowing people to go about their daily lives and limiting risk for your employer. Before going head on with a storm, a number of items should be evaluated to ensure you are making informed decisions that will work with your budget and with the desired outcomes specified above. In-house vs. conTracTed work You may have already made the decision to do all the work in-house, not subbing work out to professional snow and ice management com- panies. Either way, there are some pros and cons by each method, and some things you should take into account: In-House Pros: More control over crews/timing of removal Possible cost savings, but only if your crews are properly trained No outsourcing of risk to a third party No contracts to sign with a third party No bidding procedures Cons: You must have proper equipment, and more importantly back-up equipment in case of equipment failure Purchasing of de-icing or anti-icing materials must be made in advance for at least portions of the season, ensuring you do not run out mid-storm Implementation; you must coordinate one or more crews, ensur- ing you are adhering to all state and federal laws governing this type of work Training; you are responsible for proper training and planning for snow and ice events Potential of property damage that your employer will be respon- sible for repairing You will be responsible for monitoring the weather and determin- ing the needed staff/equipment is prepared Added risk if safe conditions are not provided for patrons of the grounds (exposure to slip and fall claims) Working with a contractor Pros: You are hiring a specialist to do the work, so you don't need to be the expert. Questions to ask include; is the contractor a Certified Snow Professional? Are they a member of the Snow & Ice Management Association? 28 SportsTurf | October 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com Facility & Operations | By Brian Birch, CAE Snow & ice removal: are you up to the challenge?

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