Case Study

Reduced insurance premiums for snow removal companies certified to SN 9001.

In 2011, the US insurance sector generated $500 million in premiums from the snow and ice management industry, but paid out nearly $1 billion in claims. As a result, each winter fewer carriers were willing to insure snow and ice operations, with as many as eight to twelve standard carriers leaving altogether. These costs also forced the insurance carriers to raise the premium cost for snow removal general liability.

The Accredited Snow Contractors Associated (ASCA) worked with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), to create a quality management system specifically for the snow and ice management contractors. This quality management system standard is known as SN 9001, which is based on ISO 9001, and is specifically designed for snow and ice management contractors to demonstrate that they have taken the extra steps to manage their risk and to adopt appropriate processes and procedures, and work towards achieving operations that are consistent with industry standards.

According to the ASCA, the performance improvements gained from accredited certification to SN9001 has resulted in reduced insurance premiums, reduced waste involved with slip-and-fall litigation, increased end-user safety and satisfaction, enhanced supplier-customer satisfaction, and more efficient use of resource.

Further details about the scheme can be found on the ASCA website.