The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat Hazards is designed to protect workers from extreme heat. An emphasis program is a temporary program that focuses OSHA’s resources on a particular hazard, stemming from increased …
VRSA is here to protect our members and their employees so they may effectively serve their communities. One way we do this is through our risk services. Staff conduct site inspections at the request of members to help identify potential …
Read More › “2023 Annual Meeting spotlights the Town of Herndon’s focus on site inspections”
Public entities continue to be targets of fraudulent instruction. This occurs when an employee is deceived into transferring money into a fraudulent account – most often by bad actors posing as legitimate contacts through emails or phone calls. Below are …
Read More › “Fraudulent instruction cybersecurity claims on the rise”
VRSA recently joined forces with the Virginia Municipal League to conduct a workshop on the Eastern Shore in the Town of Onancock. VML Executive Director Michelle Gowdy, VRSA Managing Director Marcus Hensel, VRSA Director of Education and Training Thomas Bullock, …
Read More › “VML and VRSA continue to partner to bring training and updates to members statewide”
“The message of worker safety is a high ideal – nobody comes to work and says, I’m going to be the person to get hurt today at work,” said Matt Phillips, safety and risk manager with Hanover County. “We are …
Read More › “Hanover County recognized on VRSA’s Gold Star List”
Public officials’ liability broadly covers management liability, professional liability, and employment practices liability. Our public officials’ coverage is tailored to our members and their governing interests. That’s because we work entirely on behalf of our members – not external stakeholders. …
Read More › “Your entity buys insurance, but does your entity have coverage?”
Peter Stephenson served more than 30 years in local government and now has nearly five years as VRSA’s local government specialist to his name. As VRSA’s local government specialist, Stephenson works with members to assist them in identifying and responding …
Read More › “Service Spotlight: Local Government Consulting”
Weddings, parties, graduations, parades, festivals, and more. These are just some of the reasons individuals and organizations may wish to rent facilities or utilize property owned by a public entity. However, the users of these “tenant spaces” are not covered …
Are you following VRSA on social media? VRSA’s LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter social media channels, as well as our blog, regularly highlight our members and provide news and updates about the pool. Recent member stories have included: Playground Inspections featuring the Town of …
As the days get longer and the weather warms up, VRSA has more engagements lined up to keep your employees trained in a variety of areas! VRSA Annual Meeting Friday, May 5: VRSA 2023 Virtual Annual Meeting Marijuana April 20: …
Read More › “Marijuana, FOIA, and OSHA – oh my! Review upcoming engagements here!”
The Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) was among the 102 businesses named a Top Workplace by the Richmond Times-Dispatch for 2023. VRSA was named in the Small (124 or fewer employees) category. The results were determined through surveys conducted by Energage, …
As 2023 kicked off, VRSA staff continued engaging with members throughout the Commonwealth at conferences and trainings! VASS/VASBO Winter Conference Member Services Specialist Harry McMillen and Senior Account Executive Lisa Schenk attended the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) and …
The average cost to inspect a boiler is $200 per boiler/object. For many members, this can add up to thousands of dollars each year in boiler inspections, which are required by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). According …
VRSA members should be aware of two recent recalls that may impact equipment used by employees. Relion Battery Recalls Relion Insight Series Lithium Batteries Due to Thermal Burn and Fire Hazards Incidents: The company has received five reports of batteries …
Read More › “Recall Notices: Relion Battery and PRO XL501 Chipper Shredders”
Playground inspections should be performed regularly, and more if necessary based on use, weather, vandalism, etc. VRSA Safety Specialist Edward Shelton recently met with Dean Crane, director of parks and recreation with the Town of Blacksburg, to discuss playground inspections. …
Read More › “Playground inspections – featuring the Town of Blacksburg”
Weddings, parties, graduations, parades, festivals, and more. These are just some of the reasons individuals and organizations may wish to rent facilities or utilize property owned by a public entity. However, the users of these “tenant spaces” are not covered …
For the City of Colonial Heights, focusing on both the physical and mental health of their public safety employees is crucial. Both the fire and police departments require staff to complete some type of physical activity each day so they …
VRSA risk services staff often conduct mock VOSH inspections for members. This helps not only to prepare members for real VOSH inspections – but also to identify areas that need to be addressed. During a mock inspection for the Town …
Read More › “Purcellville mock VOSH inspection results in safer stairways for employees”
The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority provides recycling, solid waste, and household hazardous waste disposal services to residents in the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle. In 2018, the authority found itself significantly above the industry standard for its reportable …
Read More › “Rivanna Authorities reduces reportable injuries through focus on risk management”
Uncertainty and change have followed the wake of the pandemic. Many of these changes impacted all of us in some way every day. One thing hasn’t changed – VRSA’s continued commitment to providing stable rates and dependable coverages to ensure …
Since 2008, AlexRenew Chief Executive Officer Karen Pallansch has volunteered her time toward serving on the VRSA Members’ Supervisory Board. This February, Pallansch is retiring from AlexRenew after more than 30 years at the organization, and 17 as its chief …
Read More › “Longtime VRSA Members’ Supervisory Board Member Karen Pallansch retires”
“Almost every quarter that I can remember since 1994, the City of Radford has been on the Gold Star List,” said VRSA Director of Workers’ Compensation Robin Duvall. Last fall, Duvall along with Senior Account Executive Lisa Schenk visited with …
“Your account has been locked.” “Password check required immediately.” “Billing information is out of date.” “Unusual account activity detected.” These subject lines, often delivered via email or text, may be linked to phishing and cybersecurity attacks. Just as you need …
Read More › “Tips and training to strengthen cybersecurity for you and your entity”
This is what we’re made for: Stable rates and dependable coverages in uncertain times… Stability is the theme of this year’s annual report. As record inflation impacted the cost of fuel, heating and cooling, construction, salaries, and more In 2022, …
Read More › “Read all about it: VRSA 2022 annual report published”
OSHA-300 logs are due each year in February – and for many, this reporting process can seem tedious and confusing. Determining what types of incidents must be reported can be difficult – and mistakes could result in OSHA inspections, reviews, …
Read More › “OSHA-300 Log Application eases members’ worries”