Sign up for our Email Newsletter!

Snow Removals?

Jan 17, 2020 | FAQs

What does ASM Advanced Snow Manager certification mean? Why is ASM Advanced snow manager important?

The ASM Advanced Snow Manager certification which is obtained though the SIMA Snow and Ice Management Association is an in depth program that teaches individuals the science and theory, as well as the industry standards behind professional snow removal. The course has 4 separate courses which must be passed in order to obtain the certification.

  1. Core Principles
  2. Plowing Operations
  3. Sidewalk Operations
  4. Ice Management

This certification is for individuals and not the company as a whole. Each person must pass the course on their own in order to be recognized as an Advanced Snow Manager.

Why is ASM important?

Every property is unique as far as property lay out, hours of operation, and expectations of service levels. Additionally each snow event is different as far as timing, air temperature, ground temperature, type of precipitation, wind velocity, length of storm and accumulation rates. It is important that you work with a company who is able to see the big picture and implement all of these variables into a storm management plan which will give you the best success staying open for business or making sure you are open and ready for business the next day mean while mitigating your risk for slip and fall claims from customers and employees. ASM’s have knowledge of the equipment, man power, and materials necessary to keep up with your level of expectation on the property.

Below are the details of the course taken directly from the SIMA website

SIMA Advanced Snow Management (ASM) Courses

Program Scope, Purpose, Target Audience, Intended Learning Outcomes and Certificate Term

Certificates are for individuals only, and are non-transferable to other individuals/entities. Information published on 11/25/2014.

Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To engage the learner in achieving core knowledge tied to safe and responsible operations in snow and ice management. This core knowledge will serve as the foundation for further training in the Advanced Snow Management program.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed to be worn by all snow operators.
  • Inspect all snow vehicles, trailers and equipment for basic safety requirements.
  • Identify the most common vehicle and equipment impact hazards.
  • Identify the physical properties of snow that most affect snow & ice management strategies.
  • Demonstrate how to measure surface temperature for an entire site.
  • Recognize the three response strategies for clearing snow and the factors which influence these strategies.
  • Define the term, cycle time as it relates to a snow route and to site management.
  • Explain how cycle time and cycle time expectation relates to resource capacity and storm response planning.
  • Identify the basic documentation procedures used in snow and ice management.

Program Requirements:

  1. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles course.*
  2. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles assessment.
  3. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles.
Certificate Term: 10 years

Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To build on Core Principles outcomes in Advanced Snow Management, coupling them with structured learning outcomes tied to safe and efficient management of snow using plows.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • The effects of moisture and temperature on snow plowing strategy.
  • Preparation and maintenance of snow plow equipment.
  • Safety practices for attaching, detaching, and adjusting various plows and blowers.
  • Instruction on best practices for snow plowing techniques.
  • Proper on- and off-site snow hauling.

Program Requirements:

  1. Completion of the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles certificate.
  2. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations course.*
  3. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations assessment.
  4. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations.
Certificate Term: 10 years

Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To build on Core Principles outcomes in Advanced Snow Management, coupling them with structured learning outcomes tied to safe and efficient sidewalk operations for snow and ice.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify equipment used in sidewalk clearing and know how to prepare equipment.
  • Be able to apply efficient and safe sidewalk clearing techniques.
  • Identify all pedestrian areas which need to be cleared of snow.
  • Recognizing how moisture and temperature affect sidewalk clearing strategies.
  • Understanding the interdependence between snow plowing, sidewalk clearing, and ice management.
  • Interpret a site engineering plan as it relates to sidewalk clearing.

Program Requirements:

  1. Completion of the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles certificate.
  2. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations course.*
  3. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations assessment.
  4. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations.
Certificate Term: 10 years

Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To build on Core Principles outcomes in Advanced Snow Management, coupling them with structured learning outcomes tied to safe and efficient management of ice and snow using chemicals and materials.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Understanding the relationship between moisture and temperature, and their impact on ice management decisions in the field.
  • Preparing ice management equipment for maximum efficiency.
  • Critical insight into major deicing chemicals, especially related to changing conditions.
  • Applying anti-icing and deicing techniques.
  • Understanding the principles of calibration and various application rates.

Program Requirements:

  1. Completion of the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles certificate.
  2. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management course.*
  3. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management assessment.
  4. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management.
Certificate Term: 10 years

*Each course has a series of ‘checkpoints’ that must be completed to continue advancing through the course. Completion of a checkpoint includes clicking/reviewing material on various slides, until the ‘Next’ slide appears. Once all course checkpoints are met, learners will be eligible to complete the assessment.