Ask a School Insurance Underwriting Expert: With Spring Around the Corner, What Do We Need to Do During the Transition from Winter?

Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards

Slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of general liability claims. Trips can occur for a variety of reasons − clutter in corridors or offices, extension cords running across floors, drawers left open, uneven surfaces and wrinkled carpeting, mats, or rugs.

The following tips can help prevent slips and trips:

• Clean up spills immediately. If a spill can’t be cleaned up right away, place “wet floor” warning signs in the area.
• Keep corridors and walkways free of debris, clutter and obstacles.
• Keep filing cabinets and desk drawers shut when not in use.
• Do not run extension cords across walkways.
• Replace burnt-out lightbulbs promptly.
  

Wet and Slippery Floors

April showers bring wet sidewalks, which lead to wet floors at building entrances. Using walk-off mats, keeping those areas dry, and posting warning signs can assist in preventing falls.

Parking Lots, Sidewalks and Steps

Question: Why should we check our roofs?

Spring showers bring…roof leaks. Winter takes its toll on a roof. Freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads and ice can cause damage. Spring is a good time to have your roof inspected so you are ready for the stormy season ahead.

Here are some things to know and what to look for:

Clear Debris

Clear the rooftop of any debris. For best results on single ply roofing membranes, use a stiff bristle broom and apply positive downward pressure when clearing accumulated dirt and leaf deposits around drains and scuppers.

Shingles 

Look for broken, curled, damaged, missing granules, or missing asphalt/composition shingles. Also look at wood shakes/shingles that may be curling, showing signs of decay or mold, or splitting.

Tears, Splits & Punctures 

Look for tears, splits, and punctures in the roofing membrane. Contact your roof contractor as soon as possible to have these repaired. Always be sure to report roof leaks observed inside the building directly to your roof contractor to have warranty work done (if applicable).

Secure Equipment 

Verify rooftop equipment is secure and won’t become dislodged in high winds. Although high winds can occur during any month of the year, March through June are a time where higher winds occur more frequently.

Clear Blockages 

Clear any blockages from drains, downspouts, or gutters and ensure water flows freely. Check for damaged gutters or downspouts which may be bent, clogged, leaking, loose, or missing.

Check Flashings 

Check metal counter flashings at roof-to-wall transitions, and around rooftop units, vents and skylights. Check fascia and soffit that may be bent, curled, loose or missing. Re-secure areas that are loose or have pulled away and re-seal as needed.

Chimneys 

Check chimneys that may be damaged, have bricks with crumbling or missing mortar, damaged or missing flashing, or leaning and having the potential of collapsing.

Ponding Water

Look for standing water, also known as “ponding water.” The National Roofing Contractors Association defines ponding water as water that remains 48 hours after a rainfall in conditions conducive to drying.

If you find damage, or if you want a more comprehensive inspection of your roof, contact your roof contractor or consultant. Quickly addressing any issues can extend the life of your roof and prevent leaks, internal damage and interruptions/disruptions.

Question: What do we need to do before commencing spring sports?

Field Maintenance

As spring inches closer, most of us want to get outside and enjoy outdoor activities, including sports. However, temperatures this time of year resemble a roller-coaster, climbing for a few days and then dropping back, often below freezing overnight. Colleges need to carefully evaluate risks when determining if it is appropriate to allow practice on athletic fields during cold temperatures and when the ground is frozen.

Natural Turf Fields

Frozen and hard surfacing increases the risk of significant injury to student athletes. Additionally, simply running on a frozen field increases the potential for slips and falls, leading to lower-body soft-tissue injuries and injuries to the back, shoulder, head, and neck. The warming rays of the sun at this time of year help to melt snow cover and soften the ground, but the resulting wet conditions can freeze overnight, creating icy, hazardous conditions again.

Synthetic Turf Fields

Removing snow improperly from synthetic turf will negatively affect the product’s warranty. Plowing snow can wear fibers on the surface, and essentially all  synthetic turf manufacturers forbid their fields from being plowed. The field manufacturer and installer must be contacted for specific procedures on snow removal, but in most instances their recommendation will be to let Mother Nature do her work. Following manufacturers’ procedures are critical for maintaining the field’s warranty and not voiding terms. Also follow their procedures for scheduling GMAX field testing (shock attenuation of turf).

Snow Piles

Snow that’s been plowed into piles around the field will melt more slowly, typically leaving hard, icy, heavy mounds that last beyond April’s showers. Such mounds can cause injury should a player run or fall into them. Removing the mounds will need to be done either by hand or by bringing equipment to the area. Shoveling heavy snow by hand poses an injury risk to staff, and removal equipment may damage the area around the field, particularly as the ground begins to soften and becomes wet from thawing.

Bleachers

There also is an increased risk of falls from bleachers. If bleachers are opened for spectators, they need to be cleared of all snow, ice and any slip/fall hazards prior to use. Perform bleacher inspections and make any necessary repairs. Even if bleachers are not officially open for use, with clear access to the field they become an attractive nuisance.

Concession Areas

Inspect concession areas and equipment. Perform seasonal preventive maintenance. Where applicable, have fire suppression systems inspected and serviced prior to use. If Health Department permits are needed, contact the local authorities and schedule permit inspections.

Field maintenance and preparation are essential parts of protecting student athletes and the public so they can enjoy a safe start to the outdoor sports season.