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Managing Athletics To Reduce Risk & Improve Service Quality
When First Nonprofit studied workers' compensation claims in Illinois, we discovered an unexpected source: athletics. While these types of events represented only 3% of total claims, they were unusually severe. The average claim from an athletics-related injury is $7,995.
Most athletics-related claims are preventable. In some situations, employees of a nonprofit agency may be required to play sports or games as an element of a therapeutic client program.
However, in the majority of athletics-related work comp claims, injuries result when employees choose to play instead of supervising client activities. Playing may be fun, but when employees choose play over work, it endangers both the employee and those in their care.
Staff members cannot properly supervise athletic activities if they are engaged in playing them. Both reduced risk and improved quality of service can be achieved by establishing policies that limit or prohibit staff participation.
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The Humble Fire Extinguisher
Recently, a First Nonprofit policyholder posed an excellent question, "Are fire extinguishers recommended in light of the fact that our building has a fire alarm system and a fire sprinkler system?"
Although fire protection technology has made major advances in recent years, the old-fashioned fire extinguisher continues to serve a unique fire protection function.
The role of a fire alarm system is early warning. Effective use initiates building evacuation and alerts the fire department. The role of a fire sprinkler system is control; it extinguishes fires that are beyond the incipient stage.
Fire extinguishers fill a critical gap between these two systems. By using a fire extinguisher, people who are not professional firefighters can extinguish a fire in the early stages thereby reducing both damage and potential structural harm to a building.
Important points to remember:
- Do not delay evacuation of the building while notifying the fire department and while a fire extinguisher is in use.
- Fire extinguishers should not be used if the immediate area is unsafe.
Fire extinguishers have been around for over 100 years in one form or another. They continue to fill an important role in protection against fire. |
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Nonprofit Risk Management Library
First Nonprofit has an expansive collection of Risk Management literature covering topics from playground safety and bullying prevention to building maintenance and tornado survival. Publications are available to all of our nonprofit policyholders free of charge. For a complete list e-mail risk@firstnonprofit.com.
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