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Specialty Lines
Well how about that, it's January! Not really quite sure how 2013 flew by the way it did, but here we go again! I have a good friend who works diligently to be positive. She loves to take photos, and in the last year or two has posted one every day to express gratitude about something. She has a young child, and some days it may just be his cute smile or the fact that his cold is gone. This relentless positive affirmation is catching and often makes me smile. It seems our genetics predispose us to find fault with things. My staff knows this is one of my faults, especially when it comes to editing. Early on I was ingrained to the joys of spotting typos. It's similar to the Candy Crush addiction I suppose. It is not fair that our brains are wired that way. We can pick at practically anything, whine about whatever, and kvetch about plenty. But what we forget is the impact that has on others, especially if it becomes a daily occurrence. Consider this for 2014 - actively seek for the positive things each day. When you talk to someone about their work, as the song goes, accentuate the positive. And (even harder) don't even bring up the negative. Don't mix messages. Problem solving needs to continue, but there are ways to do it from a positive standpoint, in a cooperative way. If you need help with that, particularly as a supervisor, contact your EAP provider (for those in the UC Trust, it is Mazzitti and Sullivan). Make sure you contact us when you need help with something, John Sallade |
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PCoRP Awards Presented
Congratulations to the following award recipients who received awards at the PCoRP Annual Delegates Dinner, November 24 in Hershey.
Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz - The Brady Koch PCoRP Award for his contributions to PCoRP and Snyder County's risk management program.
Bradford County Chief Clerk Michelle Shedden - The Sherm Doebler PCoRP Award for her contributions to the PCoRP and Bradford County's risk management program.
Tioga County Commissioner Erick Coolidge - The Ron Shearer PCoRP Award for his service on the PCoRP Board of Directors.
Fayette County Chief Clerk Amy Revak - the PCoRP Claims Reporting Award, for outstanding claims reporting and assistance to PCoRP staff.
Union County - the PCoRP Loss Control Award, for their outstanding safety committee.
Adams County - a PCoRP Loss Prevention Award, for active participation in PCoRP's loss prevention training programs.
Columbia County - a PCoRP Loss Prevention Award, for active participation in PCoRP's loss prevention training programs.
Cambria County - the Willis Pooling PCoRP Loss Experience Award, for the lowest 2013 loss ratio of all PCoRP members.
Thanks to members like these, PCoRP continues to see excellent claims results and strong financial results. For more information about PCoRP, or with questions about the awards programs, please contact John Sallade. |
Safe Shoveling and Think Spring
Quick and efficient snow removal during winter months is essential to counties as snow buildup on sidewalks can present a hazard to pedestrians. While shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous for workers who take on more than they can handle. The National Safety Council offers the following tips:
- Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful.
- If you have a history of heart trouble, do not shovel without a doctor's permission.
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Do not shovel after eating or while smoking. -
Take it slow! Shoveling (like lifting weights) can raise your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically; so pace yourself and be sure to stretch out andwarm up before taking on the task. -
Shovel only fresh snow. Freshly fallen, powdery snow is easier to shovel than the wet, packed-down variety. -
Push the snow as you shovel. It's easier on your back than lifting the snow out of the way. -
Don't pick up too much at once. Use a small shovel, or fill only one-fourth or one-half of a large one. -
Lift with your legs bent, not your back. Keep your back straight. By bending and "sitting" into the movement, you'll keep your spine upright and less stressed. Your shoulders, torso and thighs can do the work for you. -
Do not work to the point of exhaustion. If you run out of breath, take a break. If you feel tightness in your chest, stop immediately. -
Dress warmly. Remember that extremities, such as the nose, ears, hands and feet need extra attention during winter's cold. Wear a turtleneck sweater, cap, scarf, face protection, mittens, wool socks and waterproof boots.
For more information, contact the CCAP's Loss Control department at (800) 895-9039; or email us at:
Gary Nicholson, Loss Control Services Manager
Maureen McMahon, Loss Control Specialist
Andrew Smith, Loss Control Specialist
Dennis Cutler, Loss Control Specialist |
Loss Control Tidbits - Changes and Updates
Online Educational Safety Training
Effective January 1, 2014, the online learning safety training which is free to PComp, PCoRP members and PELICAN subscribers is changing. Beginning on January 1, LocalGovU will replace Comprehensive Loss Management, Inc. (CLMI) as the vendor administering the online learning safety training. CLMI has administered the program since it started over seven years ago.
Our new vendor, LocalGovU provides the nation's largest selection of city and county government specific online safety learning. LocalGovU is recognized as the leading provider of online safety training for local government nationwide and will work directly with CCAP Insurance Programs to provide high quality online safety training that reduces liability and mitigates risk to PComp, PCoRP and PELICAN members and/or subscribers. LocalGovU offers more than 200 courses covering topics ranging from Corrections, Human Resources, Customer Service, Information Technology, Health and Wellness, and Safety and Environmental.
Information regarding LocaGovU, logon and instructional use will be sent to members and subscribers in early January.
PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program - If you haven't applied yet there is still time. The PCoRP board set aside $600,000 to fund the loss prevention grant program for this current policy year. As you recall the purpose of the PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program is to provide the members the opportunity to fund loss prevention projects for their county or county related entity. The program is to support members' safety committees and administration by awarding grants to offset the costs of enhancing safety, maintenance and risk management programs. Remember the Loss Prevention Grant Program is still currently available to PCoRP members. Members have to May 31, 2014, to submit an application. The loss prevention grant program allows PCoRP county members to apply for up to a total of $12,500 in matching fund grants, and PCoRP county related entity members to apply for up to a total of $6,000 in non-matching grant funds. This can be for one or more projects, but the total awarded to a PCoRP county member will not exceed $12,500 or $6,000 to a PCoRP county related entity member.
As of December 15, 2013, the current status of the program is that...
- Only 18 members to date have submitted grant applications (17 county members / 1 county related entity member).
- A total of 32 members to date have not applied for a grant (29 county members / 3 county related entity members)
- Of the $600,000 available in grant funds to date only $157,379 has been awarded.
Loss prevention grant applications or additional grant information can be provided by the loss control staff.
Questions regarding online educational safety training or the PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program contact CCAP's Loss Control Services at (800) 895-9039; or email an individual loss control staff member.
Maureen McMahon, CPS, ARM, Loss Control Specialist
Andrew Smith, Loss Control Specialist
Dennis Cutler, CHSM, Loss Control Specialist Gary Nicholson, CHSP, Loss Control Services Manager |
Three new safety DVD's for the New Year
We have just added three new DVD's to the CCAP Insurance Program's Loss Control Video Lending Library. To help its insurance members provide a safe work environment and prevent costly accidents, CCAP provides a free loss control video lending library. Members are encouraged to borrow these videos for viewing and for training purposes. To make your training programs successful, please provide us with as much advance notice as possible when requesting a loan from the library to allow for on time delivery. All items are available for loan free of charge. To request videos, contact CCAP loss control staff at: (800) 895-9039 or (717) 526-1010 or fax (717) 526-1020 or by email.
The new videos are:
1. I Can't Get No Traction (4 minutes)
This upbeat music video spotlights common slip, trip and fall hazards in unique and entertaining fashion. Inspired by the Rolling Stones tune, "Satisfaction," the custom lyrics to this music video provide a warning to those workers who move about the workplace in an unsafe manner. The program features a variety of realistic slip, trip and fall stunts that teach memorable lessons on distracted walking, running, poor housekeeping, improper ladder use, spills, moving equipment and wearing improper footwear.
2. Safety Management In Action (22 minutes)
A Safety Management System is a process of continuous improvement that helps all employees realize the benefits of working safely, minimizing accidents and reducing claims. This DVD discusses barriers to effectively managing a safety program and offers tips on how to overcome these barriers through management support and commitment; implementation and operation; accountability; and measurement and improvement. Six common hazard control measures in public entity operations are also demonstrated. The other benefits of a Safety Management System shown in the DVD include reduced insurance premiums; increased employee morale; improved services, and a safer community in which to live.
An accompanying manual contains documents of more than 20 resources, such as checklists, diagrams, and examples of items related to a safety management system.
3. HazCom & The Global Harmonizing System Employee Training (23 minutes)
Changes in OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard brings the regulation more in line with international standards with the implementation of the Global Harmonizing System. Implementing the Global Harmonizing System, or GHS, helps ensure improved quality and consistency in the classification and labeling of all chemicals, which in turn improves an employee's ability to quickly understand critical safety information. The DVD will help employees understand the three key elements of the GHS: Hazard Classification, container labeling and Safety Data Sheets. Topics include the written Hazard Communication plan, physical and health hazard classes, pictograms, signal words and other information found on GHS container labels and the 16 sections of a Safety Data Sheet.
For more information, contact CCAP's Loss Control department at (800) 895-9039; or email us at:
Gary Nicholson, Loss Control Services Manager
Maureen McMahon, Loss Control Specialist
Andrew Smith, Loss Control Specialist
Dennis Cutler, Loss Control Specialist |
Upcoming Events
PCoRP Board Meeting and Retreat January 15-17, 2014 The Hotel Hershey - Hershey, PA PELICAN SAC Meeting January 29, 2014 CCAP North Office - Harrisburg COMCARE PRO SAC Meeting January 30, 2014 CCAP North Office - Harrisburg
PComp Board Meeting February 21, 2014 CCAP North Office - Harrisburg |
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Quote of the Month
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative."
- W. Clement Stone |
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