As spring approaches, so does the risk of flooding. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information National Temperature and Precipitation maps (www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and-precip/us-maps/), much of the eastern and upper-Midwest regions of the U.S. had above average precipitation from September through February. The dangerous combination of the extra fall rain, melting… Read more »
Fleet Safety Program
Despite advances in vehicle safety technology and increased driver safety awareness, vehicle collisions remain the leading cause of on the job fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018 report, work injuries involving transportation incidents accounted for 40 percent of all work-related fatalities. For human services organizations, this exposure also presents significant liability where… Read more »
Summer Facility Use
For many of our nonprofit/human service program participants summer signals, not just a change of season, but a shifting of focus and an influx in the number of youth participants. With increased numbers, often comes the addition of seasonal and part-time program staff and volunteers, and organizations are faced with the challenge of managing the… Read more »
Fire Prevention
Fire and life safety risks affect virtually every human services organization. The hazards and challenges related to such risks can be wide ranging and, consequently, can impact how your organization is evaluated from an insurance underwriting and loss control standpoint. How well does your organization assess its fire and life safety exposures, and address them… Read more »
Hot Work Program
Many Berkley Human Services (BHS) Customers are often perplexed when Loss Control makes recommendations for implementing a Hot Work Program. “We don’t do any welding or use torches” is often the response. Why wouldn’t they object? Our customers are Human Services Organizations. They don’t use tools or equipment that generate heat, sparks, or flames. However,… Read more »
Authorized Driver MVR Policy
Click here to download this template Driver Authorization All organizations that use vehicles to conduct their business have significant exposure due to vehicle collisions that result in property damage and bodily injuries. Vehicle collisions remain the leading cause of on the job fatalities.1 Where non-profit organizations transport their consumers, the potential exposure is much greater…. Read more »
Defensive Driving & Auto Accident Investigation
Many steps can and should be taken proactively to prevent vehicle accidents from occurring within your nonprofit / human service organization, but reality reminds us that accidents are going to happen. That being said, one hallmark of an effective vehicle fleet & driver safety program is the ability to learn from past mistakes (or accidents)…. Read more »
Aquatic Safety
A drowning is a truly devastating event. And after the fact, people usually ask, “How did this happen?” Unfortunately, the answer is often not a good one. Yet, drowning accidents continue to occur at rather alarming rates. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, over 3,500 fatal drowning accidents occurred in 2005, or… Read more »
Preparing for Winter’s Worst
Unpredictable winter weather can wreak havoc on your property. Winter storms can result in an assortment of operating challenges caused by frozen pipes, blackouts as well as snow and ice storms. The fall is an ideal time to prepare your property and protect it against serious damage and business disruption caused by the cold. Frozen… Read more »
Contracting
It goes without saying that contracts are a cornerstone in the smooth functioning of our society. They also can be the subject of great disputes too. With that in mind, we encourage you to reflect on the importance of contracting with care in your organization. As a general matter, contracts are formed when there is… Read more »