Hospitals, schools, universities, government buildings and care facilities never close for snow. They also serve people who are more vulnerable to falls, and they buy services through formal tenders with strict requirements. Institutional snow work is demanding and rewarding for contractors who can meet the standard.
What Institutions Require
- High liability limits, often $5 million or more, sometimes higher for hospitals. See umbrella liability.
- Additional insured status, waiver of subrogation and specific certificate wording
- Performance bonds on many public tenders
- Workers compensation clearance
- Safety programs, training records and sometimes background checks for crews on school property
- Detailed service reporting
The Risk Profile
- Vulnerable users. Patients, elderly visitors, children and people with mobility challenges.
- 24/7 operations. Shift changes, emergency entrances and ambulance bays must be clear at all hours.
- Large campuses. Long walkways, stairs, multiple entrances and heavy foot traffic. See sidewalk clearing insurance.
- Ice management. Salting decisions are scrutinized. See salting and sanding insurance.
Winning and Keeping Institutional Work
Start the insurance and bonding conversation before the tender closes, not after you win. Build documentation systems that produce the reports institutions expect. See insurance requirements for commercial snow contracts and site logs and documentation.
Institutional work is a major part of the market in Ottawa, Hamilton, Kingston, London and Regina.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do hospitals require more than $5 million liability from snow contractors?
Some do. Requirements vary by institution and are set out in the tender documents.
Do I need a bond for a school board snow contract?
Many public tenders require bid and performance bonds. Check the tender and talk to a broker early.