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INSURANCE MATTERS
 
A Newsletter for Members of the CCAP Insurance Programs
Owned by Members, Governed by Members, Service to Members
 
June 2010
Specialty Lines
 
Hello ,
 

On May 11 we held a meeting of the defense counsels for our PCoRP, PComp, PELICAN and COBALT insurance programs. We had more than 40 attorneys in attendance from all parts of the state who share in our desire to provide counties, nursing homes and county related entities with quality professional defense from lawsuits.

 

In prior years we have held separate meetings for each insurance program, and this year we thought we would try a combined meeting, especially since some of the firms handle claims for more than one program. It worked well, no matter how daunting you might think aggregating 40 plus attorneys in one room might be.

 

I told the attendees, and via this column I want to remind the members of our insurance programs, how proud we are of the quality of our defense counsels. We select them carefully, seeking those who have knowledge of and experience with county government. Instead of finding the least expensive way to defend our members, we have made a commitment to have the funding needed to obtain and retain highly competent lawyers who will provide you with the best defense possible.

 

We spent the day talking about various issues and cases related to counties, and providing the attorneys with some resources to access information about our insurance programs (such as coverage documents and other organizational documents).

 

We are also pleased that these counsels enthusiastically agree to participate as speakers in our loss control training workshops, providing a further benefit to the membership.

 

Make sure you call us when you need help with something,

                                                 

                              John Sallade
 
In this issue
Specialty lines
New look online
Preventing slips & trips
PELICAN subscribers meet
Less paper, more electronic
Quote of the month

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The CCAP Web site has recently undergone a transformation. You'll find us at the same address, www.pacounties.org and all your favorite resources are still there, they're just easier to find. Look for the insurance link to the right of the homepage. 
 
 
Slips & trips...preventing the most preventable
By Bob Lauzonis, Loss Control Specialist
 

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

 

Simply walking should not be a hazardous activity, yet many counties and county related entities are finding that a great portion of their accidents and injuries start with a slip, trip or same level fall. The severe, disabling effect and costly aspects of these types of accidents is increasing as the average workforce age increases. A slip or fall that might only embarrass a twenty-year-old worker can cause significant long-term injury to a forty-year-old person. Accidents that start with a slip many times result in head injuries, back injuries, lacerations, fractures, pulled muscles and deep contusions.

 

Prevention strategies are generally the same for most hazards - this includes those measures necessary for a slip, trip and fall prevention program. Identifying industry wide causes of slips, trips and falls is the first step in a comprehensive prevention strategy. The second element is to institute engineered changes that modify the work areas to eliminate, control or reduce the hazard exposure. Modification of work practices is the third element - change those actions that contribute to hazard exposure. Employee awareness training closes the loop of the four-element process of hazard prevention and control.

 

IDENTIFICATION

 

Poor walking surfaces are the number one contributor to slips and trips. Slick or smooth floors are a prime contributor to workplace slips and falls. Other contributors include material in walkways, improper footwear, inadequate lighting, narrow aisles, horseplay and blocked vision when carrying objects. Walking surfaces with worn tiles, curled floor mats, cracks, missing floor drain covers, ankle-biters and knee-knockers are a guaranteed environment for slips and trips.

 

Engineering controls for prevention of slips and trips start with considering the basic surface of the floor. In areas that routinely see work related liquid spills (i.e. kitchen, jail cells, etc.) require a good anti-slip coating. The surface should be rough enough to provide an adequate surface profile to prevent liquid hydroplaning between floor and footwear. Good interior and exterior lighting will ensure employees can see hazards in their path of travel. Proper lighting will eliminate dark shadows and provide the illumination needed for employees with poor eyesight.

 

All aisle ways should be at least twenty-two inches wide to eliminate the need to twist sideways when navigating the work area. Ankle-biters and knee-knockers are those parts of equipment, piping, hangers, machinery and workstations, chairs, shelving, computer hardware and office "clutter" that may protrude into walkways. All floor mats should have beveled edges that prevent catching the toe of footwear.

 

EMPLOYEE AWARENESS TRAINING

 

Employees play an important role in slip and trip prevention. Bringing them into the hazard control and reduction process is essential in developing an effective program. Train them in the hazards that create slip and trip potentials. Explain the need for low heel non-skid footwear. Train them to walk slowly and deliberately on wet or slick surfaces. Explain the immediate cleanup policy for spilled liquids. Encourage reporting of slip and trip hazards. Prohibit running and horseplay at work. Require immediate area cleanup after all maintenance.

 

WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

 

Commonly, there are four factors can contribute to slip, trip, and fall hazards: 1) workers;

2) machines/equipment; 3) work environments; and 4) management. Workers may be prone to slip, trip and fall hazards by not properly using equipment, fatigue, risk-taking behavior and/or inadequate training. Some machine factors that contribute to slip, trip, and fall hazards include improperly designed machines, missing components, or machines that are not maintained properly. Environmental factors include wintry conditions such as snow, ice, and wind, as well as other factors such as poor lighting. Remember, that management has the ability to control worker, machine, and environment factors through proper planning, monitoring and corrective action. The following are some basic suggested safety tips aimed at helping prevent slips, trips and falls at work:

 

Remove slip, trip, and fall hazards from the work area, especially in high-trafficked areas. Even though workers may be moving at a reasonable pace and keeping their eyes on where they are going, predictable surfaces with good traction help prevent slips, trips and falls.

 

Establish a no-running policy. Though in some situations, staff may need to work at a quick pace, making sure that workers do not run can prevent injuries and illnesses due to slips and falls.

 

Make sure workers wear proper footwear with good traction that is kept in good repair. Take a look at the soles of shoes regularly to check for excessive wear. Slip-resistant footwear should be considered where necessary, such as footwear with spiked or studded soles that can improve traction on ice.

 

Cleaning procedures for floors are essential to good slip resistance. Make sure that all walking surfaces are kept free of spills, water, oil and any other substances that may affect the traction of the surface.

 

Report any spills and provide adequate signage regarding hazards such as spills, uneven surfaces, debris, icy sidewalks, smooth concrete and other hazards. Also ensure that your county has a process that documents incidents and reports slip and fall hazards.

 

Make sure that staff is trained on how to properly clean/remove slip, trip, and fall hazards. Also ensure that staff and management are trained in slip, trip and fall prevention. Workers should resume work only after a hazard has been removed or resolved.

 

Be sure all areas have adequate lighting to illuminate any potential hazards.

Prevent surface water accumulation in areas that can lead to slips, trips and falls; ensure that there are adequate drainage systems and pumps in place.

 

Be aware of the floor types in your county buildings to help determine the degree of hazards for slips, trips and falls.

 

SUMMARY

 

Remember, controlling slip and trip hazards takes involvement by everyone. Commissioners and top management must commit to actions that implement proper engineering and work practice controls; directors, department heads and supervisors need to conduct periodical inspections and monitor work practices, and employees must use their training to avoid hazardous conditions.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

For more information please send an e-mail to:

Bruce Mitchell, Loss Control Services Manager; [email protected] 

Gary Nicholson, Senior Loss Control Specialist; [email protected] 

Greg Cunningham, Loss Control Specialist; [email protected] 

Bob Lauzonis, Loss Control Specialist; [email protected]


PELICAN annual subscriber meeting
By Christie Ward, Captive Programs Manager
 

The seventh annual PELICAN Subscriber's meeting was held during the PACAH Spring Conference in State College, April 21, 2010. We were pleased to have 18 of the 28 PELICAN members represented at the meeting. John Sallade, CCAP's Managing Director of Insurance Programs, provided an operations report, reviewing the unaudited yearend financial statement. He also reported on the $1,000,000 dividend returned to subscribers this year and the new rating system implemented for renewal. 

 

Dave Harman, Claims Manager, provided an overview of PELICAN claims experience. He noted that claims activity has been very low. He also provided an update on the Grammer case, training opportunities and thanked the PELICAN Subscribers for their use of PELICAN's on-line claims reporting.

 

A PELICAN Subscriber's Advisory Committee (SAC) election also took place to fill three positions up for election in 2010. Each SAC position is for a three year term. Re-elected to the SAC, with terms expiring in 2013, were Diane Cleary, the Vermont representative; Lynn Dillon, Saxony Health Center; and Ron King, Jefferson Manor Health Center.

 

Mike Wilt, PELICAN President, presented two PELICAN program awards. The first award, to recognize Outstanding Claims Reporting, went to Cindy Davis of Jefferson Manor. The second award, for Outstanding Loss Control and Prevention activities, was presented to Pleasant Ridge Manor, Erie County.

 

PELICAN Insurance provides primary General Liability and Nursing Home Professional Liability insurance. Subscribers also have the option of purchasing excess insurance that provides an additional $1 million above both general and professional liability coverage.  The PELICAN Insurance program is open to non-profit nursing homes who are PACAH members. Eligibility for membership includes all non-profit PACAH members (full voting and associate).

 

For more information, please contact Christie Ward by e-mail or call (800) 895-9039.

 
Less paper, more electronic 
By John Sallade, Managing Director, CCAP Insurance Programs
  

CCAP's insurance programs are continually working to do more of our processes and forms electronically, generating less paper. For the last several years many of our programs have asked for renewal applications electronically - often in excel spreadsheets. Our Annual Member Services Report (AMSR) is sent to all counties on a CD. Most of you are reading this newsletter in electronic format.

 

We have been spending a good deal of time developing document retention guidelines, cleaning out paper we do not need to keep, and identifying what needs to be retained and for how long. Many critical documents have been scanned, and of course we have set up an electronic backup system off site as part of our business recovery plan.

 

One change members and local producers will see this year is we will be transmitting the financial audits to PCoRP and PComp members via e-mail, as a PDF attachment. In the past we would send each member one hard copy, usually to the chief clerk or the agency director. Eliminating the mailing has several advantages, including using less paper and saving on postage. A major advantage is that we will be able to have a wider distribution of the information. Using e-mail we can target the distribution to several key people at each member county, county-related entity and local insurance producer.

 

If you have thoughts about how we do business, and ways we can make the electronic processing work better for you, please let us know by contacting John Sallade at CCAP.

 
Quote Of The Month
 
 "The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well."
 
- Horace Walpole
 
 
 
diffat75
 

CCAP Insurance Programs
PO Box 60769, Harrisburg, PA 17106-0769
Phone (800) 895-9039 - FAX (717) 526-1020
Claims Fax (888) 692-2368

 

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Insurance Matters is published monthly by CCAP Insurance Programs for the use of members of CCAP's UC Trust, PCoRP, PComp, PIMCC, COMCARE, COMCARE PRO, BEST Flex, PELICAN and other insurance programs, and insurance producers of these members.

Advice contained in this publication is not legal advice and members are encouraged to seek the opinion of their solicitor.

The information provided in this publication is not intended to take the place of professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with competent legal, financial, or other appropriate professionals. Statements of facts and opinions expressed in this publication, by authors other than Association staff and officers, are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent an opinion or philosophy of the officers, members and staff of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). No endorsement of advertised products or services is implied by CCAP unless those products or services are expressly endorsed, or are owned or managed by the Association programs, or our affiliates. This publication may not be reproduced, modified, distributed, or displayed in part or in whole, by any means, without advance written permission of CCAP. Please direct your requests to John Sallade, Managing Director, CCAP Insurance Programs, [email protected].

Note: As part of its copyright agreement the CCAP grants the author the right to place the final version of his/her manuscript on the author's homepage, subject to CCAP's standards, or in a public digital repository, provided there is a link to the CCAP website.

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