CAI-NJ Feb 2022

MANAGEMENT TRENDS... from page 48.

all conditions. True “zero tolerance” is an unrealistic expectation, as is a snow-free environment”. While bare pavement may be the ideal, it is not a standard that any contractor will be able to deliver upon at all times. Set realistic specifications that will result in conditions that are as safe as practical given weather conditions. What is critically important to transferring liability is to hire good contractors for all services, and once you do, allow them to do their work. Once an association begins to direct how snow removal operations are undertaken, they also may be eliminating that transference of liability that they sought in the first place. • Another means of transferring liability is to set expecta- tions with the association’s homeowners. Send seasonal notices that inform homeowners of what will happen during a snow (or other weather) event. For example, the association may not remove snow if less than 1” of accumulation falls. Perhaps only ice control material will be applied. The association might place buckets of ice melt material strategically around the community and request homeowners to help out by spreading some CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 52

association participation in the event building values are not reviewed regularly, etc.). • Transferring liability is also achieved by hiring good contractors, using a comprehensive specification and holding them accountable (in their contract) for perform- ing the tasks included in the specification. Snow removal provides a perfect example. When writing a specifica- tion, it is recommended that the contractor be responsi- ble for determining when service is needed. Sometimes associations designate a “snow captain” from among the membership, who will authorize a contractor to respond to a storm. In many cases, this results in a budget-based decision rather than a safety-based one. The contractor should also have input into the level of service that is specified. It should be recognized that, according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI/ASCA A1000-2014), “It is impossible to achieve bare and wet pavement at all times under

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