This winter, Safety and Risk Management Coordinator Loren Kato with the City of Fredericksburg is hoping for snow. At least, a little bit of snow. In early November, Kato organized three days of snowplow training for the city’s snow patrol …
Read More › “City of Fredericksburg prepares for winter weather with snowplow training”
A new overhauled VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP) Online University has just launched!! The VMLIP Online University is a FREE training resource for VMLIP members. Courses are available in the areas of health, safety, and human resources and are designed to …
Read More › “Just launched: Updated VMLIP Online University”
When you text and drive your eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field. Transportation incidents represented 41 percent of all workplace fatalities …
Have you taken advantage of one of the more than 450 resources, including videos and modules available in the VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP) Multimedia Library? If so, you have probably heard of Karen Wall. Karen has worked as a senior …
Nearly eight months ago, VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP) began the GPS telematics pilot program with four VMLIP members currently enrolled in the Where the Rubber Meets the Road (WTRMTR) campaign. Each of the members installed Geotab GPS telematics devices into …
Read More › “VML Insurance Programs’ GPS Telematics Pilot Program: An Eight-Month Update”
Randy Means, Director of Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance for The Response Network, will be providing five seminars addressing law enforcement liability from November through March. The seminars address minimizing the risk of officer misconduct, increasing officer and organizational effectiveness, …
Several VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP) members currently participating in the Where the Rubber Meets the Road (WTRMTR) campaign are now also taking part in a new pilot program involving GPS telematics devices. VML is committed to providing members with effective …
Read More › “New Geotab technology focuses on personalized driver coaching to improve fleet safety”
Fall is on it’s way, and for many this means trips to the pumpkin patch, the apple orchard, and fall sports – including soccer. Unfortunately the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports of at least 35 deaths since 1979 resulting from …
Read More › “Follow these guidelines for moveable soccer goal safety”
When you turn on the tap, how much thought do you give into how the water was cleansed, filtered, and delivered to your home? Similarly, when you take a shower, wash the dishes or flush the toilet, do you ever …
Read More › “Three VMLIP members recognized at Water JAM conference”
Changes are in effect beginning July 1 for the 2013 – 2014 Risk Management Guidelines (RMG) assessment. While some aspects of the assessment will change, many will remain the same. Some items remaining unchanged include: Easy electronic access to your …
Read More › “Change is coming once again to the Risk Management Guidelines (RMG)”
Effective interviewing is the cornerstone of successful recruitment, and developing effective interview questions is crucial to that process. The goal of the interview is to gain verification of the applicant’s background and work history, and find evidence that the applicant …
Hazard communication, respiratory protection, machine guarding, powered industrial trucks, lockout/tagout – these are some of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) top ten violations from 2011 – 2012. Are your employees trained in these areas? Is the training up-to-date? …
Sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians is challenging for most drivers, especially when there are so many distractions facing today’s drivers. The bevy of gadgets available are often the biggest culprits to distracted driving, but increased stress, sleep deprivation, …
A community volunteer program allows a public entity to utilize the talents, skills, and knowledge of volunteers to supplement the efforts of staff. Efforts to engage the community in local government operations will help to educate the public and gain …
Read More › “Volunteers can help enhance an entity's performance”
Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes – “oh my.” Last year in Virginia we experienced each of these. Hurricane season started June 1, and while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near-normal hurricane season this year, “near-normal” still means …
Each year, more than 200,000 children go to emergency rooms with injuries associated with playground equipment. Most injuries occur when a child falls from the equipment onto the ground. The combination of regular use along with changing weather conditions creates …
The following article, shared with permission by Risk Management Services of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, provides an overview of a recent court decision ruling that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has the right to subpoena safety audits …
On their own, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Workers’ Compensation laws can be complicated. But when they interact, even the most seasoned human resources (HR) professional can find it a challenge. Recently, HRHero …
Read More › “VMLIP hosts summit on the interactions of FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation”
There has been a lot of buzz lately over tires. It seems like even touching them is regulated by some federal agency or another. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised its tire servicing materials to address current …
Tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes – oh my! All three of the mentioned above natural disasters hit Virginia in 2011. This morning staff at VML Insurance Programs participated in the Virginia statewide tornado drill, taking cover in a downstairs hallway. Tornado …
Read More › “Protect Yourself During an Earthquake… Drop, Cover, and Hold On!”
Over the past five years VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP) estimates that more than 6,300 slip, trip, and fall claims have been filed from our more than 460 members. Nationally, almost one in every five work-related injuries is a result of …
Between Feb. 28 and March 3 two storms delivered numerous tornadoes throughout the United States, including an EF1 tornado with 86 – 110 mph winds which struck the Ewing area of Lee County in Southwest Virginia. The storms pushed through …
Each year, distracted driving is responsible for a greater number of car crashes and a greater number of deaths on Virginia’s roadways. More drivers are distracted and whether it’s their phone, eating, or changing the radio, the results can be …
Read More › “Get ready for Distracted Driving Awareness Month”
Snow blowers are frequently used in municipal settings. Typical uses include clearing of walkways, sidewalks, and small parking areas around public buildings and removal of snow around utilities and stored equipment. Snow blower injuries cross all age group categories, but …