By Vinny Gallo, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant June is National Safety Month, and according to the National Safety Council (NSC), “now, more than ever, safety is crucial both inside and outside the workplace.” This year, the NSC will be focusing …
Read More › “How a well functioning safety committee is key toward creating a culture of safety”
For 19 years VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig has partnered with members through education, training and consulting to help strengthen their risk management programs. Craig came to VRSA from her role at Liberty Mutual Insurance where she worked in …
The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, scheduled to be observed this week has been postponed due to COVID-19. The safety stand-down is designed to take time out from day-to-day activities to talk about safety, and raise awareness …
VRSA’s mission is to provide financial stability through risk management for Virginia political subdivisions so they can effectively serve their communities. One of the ways VRSA accomplishes this is by partnering with members to provide education, training and consulting – …
VRSA recognizes National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, a time to recognize animal control officers who work to protect the welfare of animals and pets that are rescued from injury, disease, abuse, and starvation. Earlier this year, VRSA Public Safety …
Read More › “VRSA recognizes National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week”
Dear VRSA members, What a changed world we are living in and, as usual, local political subdivisions are at the center of meeting their community’s needs. We know you are struggling to adjust to a very different operating environment. VRSA …
Read More › “An important message from the VRSA Managing Director”
Everyday roughly nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes involving distracted driving. Distracted drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash than drivers focused on driving. Distracted driving is not a …
Read More › “Distracted Driving Awareness: Law Enforcement Perspective”
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VRSA Members’ Supervisory Board has taken action to ensure that bylaw and statutory conditions are met for the 2020 VRSA annual meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2020. Actions taken …
Read More › “VRSA 2020 Annual Meeting modified due to COVID-19”
In early 2019, VRSA implemented telemedicine as a healthcare option for member injured workers. Today, this option is proving more essential than ever. “The number of injured workers utilizing telemedicine has certainly gone up over the past few weeks,” said …
Read More › “Telemedicine and injured workers during COVID-19”
On the evening of Feb. 3, VRSA Account Executive Nora Pierre received a call from York County Schools Finance Director Bill Bowen, notifying her of an electrical fire at Grafton Middle and High Schools in York County. Pierre alerted VRSA …
Read More › “VRSA responds quickly to York County Schools fire”
As Virginia’s local political subdivisions navigate maintaining operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, VRSA remains committed to partnering with members through education, training and consulting to empower them to continue to serve their communities. On Monday, March 2, VRSA distributed the …
Last summer, in response to recent workplace violence events in the news, VRSA Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon and VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Eddie Shelton were invited by Town of Vinton Human Resources Director Donna Collins and the town’s safety …
Read More › “Town of Vinton invites VRSA staff to assist with increased security procedures”
From January to mid-March, VRSA members were busy training their staff on a variety of risk management issues and exposures. As partners in risk management, VRSA staff have partnered with members to provide much of this training throughout the state …
Read More › “Member Risk Management Spotlight – Spring 2020”
The following courses ranked as the top ten VRSA Online University courses utilized from Jan. 1 – March 31, 2020. Defensive Driving Bloodborne Pathogens Fire Prevention Sexual Harassment Prevention Compressed Gas Safety Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls Personal Protective Equipment …
Read More › “Spring 2020: Top ten VRSA Online University courses used!”
Each quarter, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) publishes the Gold Star List. The list recognizes members that have had workers’ compensation claims during the previous quarter and reported them within three days of injury. Late reporting is a major …
While the National Safety Council has postponed the observance of Distracted Driving Awareness Month in response to COVID-19, many VRSA members continue to work and learn from home. Throughout April we will share distracted driving prevention information, resources, learning opportunities …
Read More › “Distracted Driving Prevention: Top Safety Tips”
With more staff working from home as part of social distancing, online training can allow employers to continue educating staff on risk management best practices and other topics. VRSA has compiled a listing of online learning resources available at no …
Read More › “VRSA Online Learning Resources and Webinar Wednesdays”
By Peter Stephenson, VRSA Local Government Specialist It’s always a good time to talk about ethics. Not simply in March when we really begin to ‘Think Spring.’ This important topic should be evergreen, at the forefront of our decision making …
Local political subdivisions are designed to serve their communities. At times, community members may request to use public property to host events. For events held on premises that are owned and/or operated by local political subdivisions, for example a town …
As part of VRSA’s 40th anniversary, throughout the year various services, resources and coverages will be highlighted through this blog. VRSA Director of Human Resources Services Tina Stevens has been providing human resources consulting to members purchasing public official’s liability …
Read More › “Meet Tina Stevens, VRSA Director of Human Resources Services”
Puxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring for 2020 and if his prediction is correct, more activities will be taking place outside earlier this year. In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, weatherman Phil Conners – sent to cover Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog …
Read More › “Getting your risk management program out of a rut”
In 2018, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig visited with Captain Joey McLaughlin with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office to see the installation of Hornet electronic deer avoidance systems. The devices were purchased with $3,700 in VRSA Risk Management …
Read More › “New Kent County deer strike prevention pilot – A follow up!”
Localities with 15 or more employees are required by VA Code section § 15.2-1506 to have a grievance procedure for employees that “affords an immediate and fair method for the resolution of disputes which may arise between the public employer …
Uncertainty equals risk, and VRSA members are certainly facing considerable uncertainty in the current legislative session. Risk can be positive or negative depending on how the legislation impacts your organizational goals and objectives. Take some time to consider the following …
Read More › “Many bills introduced that could impact the risk management landscape”
In 2020, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) will celebrate 40 years of providing financial stability through risk management for Virginia political subdivisions. What does that mean? 40 years ago, finding coverage for the unique exposures faced by local governmental …
Save up to 93% on training costs and travel time for your staff through the VRSA Online University today over traditional instructor-led courses.