Snow training records can make or break a case

Before the snow flies, every snow and ice company faces a critical question: When asked later, how do we prove we trained our team? When a slip and fall leads to a lawsuit, it is not just about having done the work; it is about having the paperwork to prove you adhered to reasonable industry standards and practices.

Training is not just an internal checklist item. It is one of your strongest legal and insurance defenses. When things go wrong, and they sometimes will, your training records can either shield your company or expose a weak link.

Saying “we trained our team” is not enough. Jurors want logs, and insurance carriers want proof. That’s how your risk profile and your premiums are judged. So how do you build a training program that holds up under scrutiny?

When training logs save the day (or don’t)

It’s extremely rare for plaintiff attorneys not to ask for detailed records about a defendant’s training practices. The more robust a company’s training practices, the more likely it is they have well-trained, professional service personnel operating during snow and ice events.

The rub is the vast majority of contractors do very little formal training. Instead, they rely heavily on “jobsite training” by having a new employee ride along with someone for a couple hours.

Because training is often loose, undocumented and unregulated, plaintiff attorneys hammer this “lack” of professionalism as a sign of how the rest of the company is run.

Build your training matrix around legal expectations

What separates success from failure is a structured, detailed training program. Start by identifying topics your crews must know and that jurors expect them to know:

• Safety protocols such as PPE, slip and falls, and situational awareness
• Equipment operation including plows, spreaders and snow blowers
• Deicing chemical usage covering application rates, MSDS and storage
• Snow pile placement rules such as never blocking hydrants, drains or sight lines
• Clock in and out procedures for accountability and time-stamped defense
• Accident and incident reporting, including how, when, where and whom

Remember, training is not just for field crews. Administrative and supervisory staff also need instruction on documentation, dispatch and communication protocols.

Plan your training calendar like the season depends on it

Your training should be planned across the full operational cycle and not crammed into one chaotic preseason session. Here is a suggested framework:

• Preseason full-team sessions held 30-60 days before season kickoff. Cover essential safety, equipment operation and procedures.
• Monthly safety talks or refreshers lasting 15 to 30 minutes. Cover emerging hazards, weather trends, or recent field incidents.
• Midseason tune-up around January or February. Discuss identified performance gaps or issues from events so far.
• Postseason debrief reviewing what worked, what didn’t and what needs changed for next year.

Repetition builds memory. A schedule reinforces to your team and insurance partners that training is part of your operational DNA.

Download SIMA's free training log template 

Document training sessions like a pro

Many contractors fall short here. You need a clear paper trail:

• Who attended (first and last names, printed and signed)
• When and where the training occurred
• What topics were covered (agenda or outline)
• Who led the session (include credentials)
• Format (in-person, video, on-site walkthrough)
  

Maintain digital and physical archives of these logs in your centralized operations archive, just like service logs or contracts, and organize them by date and employee name. Carriers and lawyers want to see repeatable, trackable systems.

Bring in industry experts for proctored training

Sometimes the best way to improve your program is to bring in a fresh set of eyes. Working with a snow and ice industry consultant can help make your training more consistent, thorough and credible. When a consultant runs and oversees training, you’ll have solid proof to show insurance carriers and juries that your team was trained to industry standards. When choosing a consultant, look for someone who:

• Works with contractors and understands your regional challenges
• Is active in the industry, not retired or winding down
• Uses videos, study guides, exams and tools that help knowledge stick

The right consultant covers blind spots, raises the bar and shows carriers you’re serious about professionalism and safety.

Training is a year-round asset

Your preparation today affects your position tomorrow. The more you document, the more you protect everyone, from your field crews to your bottom line.

Training is not a one-time event. Treat it as a continuous, year-round asset. Your insurance carrier and any future jury will see your company as the professional, risk-aware business it truly is.

Ken Boegeman is a snow & ice industry consultant and President of SG Advantage and Swinter Group. He has over 13 years of experience as a snow and ice slip-and-fall expert and more than 30 years in the snow industry. Contact him at kenb@swintergroup.com.