Despite all the efforts to train drivers, vehicle collisions remain the leading cause of on the job fatalities. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2016 report, work injuries involving transportation incidents accounted for 40% of all work related fatalities. For human services organizations, this exposure also presents significant third party liability where consumers… Read more »
Natural Disasters – Are You Prepared?
Natural disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year, and each disaster has lasting effects, both to people and property. In the United States, many of us, our communities, and the organizations that we serve have already experienced first-hand the perils, devastation and loss associated with natural disasters. The process of recovery and rebuilding… Read more »
Distracted Driving
Drivers encounter several distractions in the course of their daily driving activities. Driving distractions divert attention away from the central task of driving, and may compromise the safety of the driver, passengers and anyone in the vehicle’s path of travel. Cell phone integration, navigation systems and infotainment devices are standard equipment in most vehicles sold… Read more »
Pre-Employment Screening and Reference Checks
Pre-employment screening refers to the process of investigating and verifying the background of potential employees and volunteers. This may include criminal background checks, employment and educational history as well as references for employment. Employers look to confirm that the information provided by the applicant/volunteer is truthful and accurate as well as discover any potential criminal… Read more »
Sexual Abuse
It’s obvious to say it, but sexual abuse continues to be a serious problem in our society. As a human services organization, you especially know the challenges in effectively managing (if not eliminating) this problem, while at the same time allowing for a level of flexibility in the delivery of programs and services that fulfill… Read more »
Developing a Workplace Violence Plan (Part 2 of 2)
Any workplace violence event may create fear, anxiety, and physical and emotional pain for the victims, families, co-workers and clients of an organization. It is an employer’s obligation to provide a safe work environment. Employers begin workplace violence plan development by assessing their organization’s risk factors, and considering mitigating strategies which might include altering work… Read more »
Assessing the Risk for Workplace Violence Prevention (Part 1 of 2)
Every year, two million American workers report being a victim of workplace violence. Violent assailants may be robbers, strangers, co-workers, clients or customers and relatives of an employee. The published risk factors (OSHA, 2015) that correspond most frequently for human service workers include: working with unstable or volatile persons, transporting passengers, delivery of goods or… Read more »
Authorized Driver MVR Policy
Click here to download this template “Authorized Drivers” All organizations that require the use of vehicles to conduct daily business are challenged by having unsupervised employees or volunteers drive for their organization. Simply allowing employees or volunteers to drive an organization’s vehicle, or their own vehicles (non-owned vehicles), is a high risk choice. Instead… Read more »
Beware of Using Personal Vehicles for Business Purposes
These days, it seems that many organizations are relying more and more on employees and volunteers to personally carry out business-related activities of the organization. This may include using their own personal vehicles for any number of business-related purposes, such as traveling to off-site meetings, picking up office supplies, attending organization-mandated development classes, or conducting… Read more »
Preventing Slips Trips and Falls
Accidents related to slips, trips and falls account for a large number of general liability and workers’ compensation claims. Often, these types of accidents are simply caused by wet or icy surface conditions. However, such accidents (and the injuries that result from them) are often also related to, among other things, inadequate maintenance, improper footwear… Read more »