Risk Control Newsletter – December 2021

In this issue

• Seasons Greetings from Trident Public Risk Solutions
• Coronavirus: OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Workers
• Assessing Tree Risk
• Winter Prep: Snow Plow Operators
• Did You Know?

Seasons Greetings from Trident Public Risk Solutions

All of us here at Trident want to wish our agency partners, policyholders, and support organizations the happiest of holidays and wishes for a bright new year. At the conclusion of 2020, everyone was optimistic that 2021 would bring us out of the pandemic and back to normal. As we wind down 2021, our local governments still face many challenges. While we hope that 2022 will be a spectacularly successful year for our policyholders, please know that if something does go wrong… Trident will be here to help!

Coronavirus: OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Workers

On November 4^th, OSHA released a temporary standard that requires employers to do the following:

• Determine the vaccination status of each employee, obtain acceptable proof of vaccination status from vaccinated employees, and maintain records and a roster of each employee’s vaccination status.

• Require employees to provide prompt notice when they test positive for COVID-19 or receive a COVID-19 diagnosis. Employers must then remove the employee from the workplace, regardless of vaccination status; employers must not allow them to return to work until they meet required criteria.

• Ensure each worker who is not fully vaccinated is tested for COVID-19 at least weekly (if the worker is in the workplace at least once a week) or within 7 days before returning to work (if the worker is away from the workplace for a week or longer).

• Ensure that, in most circumstances, each employee who has not been fully vaccinated wears a face covering when indoors or when occupying a vehicle with another person for work purposes.

Please note that this standard will cover public sector workers in states with OSHA State Plans (26 states). Please review the full release which includes a webinar, frequently asked questions and compliance materials and resources.

Assessing Tree Risk

Many Public Works Directors will tell you that what causes them the most problems on a day-to-day basis are not roads, water, or sewer systems, but trees. Tree maintenance (trimming, pruning, removal) is not only expensive but time-consuming, unsafe, and seemingly never-ending. Contracting out tree trimming and removal can become extremely expensive, with costs to remove larger trees in the thousands. Costs for trees that are not easily accessible, or that are in dangerous areas, are even more expensive and may require cranes or specialty equipment. However, it is expensive for a reason. It requires special training and equipment to help keep everyone safe and prevent unnecessary damage to any property in the surrounding areas. Some communities are fortunate enough to have a tree or forestry department, which may help to curb costs, but the risks are increased in terms of employee safety.

Aside from the costs to manage them, trees can also be a source of public controversy when they are deemed unsafe and require removal or when trying to determine who owns a tree and is responsible for the care of that tree. Complaints can often come from individuals who are not familiar with the problems trees are causing but nevertheless take time to address.

From a Public Works perspective, trees can be a source of frustration when roots are upheaving sidewalks and roads, or in some cases, causing damage to water/sewer infrastructure. Tree roots can cause trip hazards on sidewalks and damage to snowplows/snowblowers. Following wind or snowstorms, clearing roads from fallen tree limbs can not only be unsafe but extremely time-consuming.

From an insurance perspective, it is important to manage your risk associated with trees by being proactive and diligent about documentation.

Start by establishing an ongoing tree risk assessment program.

• Identify and prioritize which trees should be removed or pruned, as well as which trees should be monitored closely moving forward.
  • Start with trees located in high vehicle and pedestrian traffic areas which could pose the greatest risk for injury or property damage should the tree fall.
  • All trees surrounding public buildings, schools and parks should be assessed as well.
• Create a priority list and perform whatever maintenance is necessary.
• Track all tree maintenance.
• When complaints about unsafe trees are made by customers in your community it is important to take each one seriously. Assess the tree in question and communicate what action was taken to the complainant.
• Implement a formal work order system for tracking tree related complaints and be consistent with each work order. This documentation will be key to your defense if a tree related claim were to be reported.

For more information on managing tree and roadside vegetation risk, click here.

Winter Prep: Snow Plow Operators

As Public Safety employees, Public Works snowplow operators are charged with the critical emergency response function of keeping the roads safe, during and following a storm. As anyone who has driven in heavy snow can attest, that is not an easy task. When you factor in off-street parking, unsafe motorists, limited visibility, it can all create an unsafe scenario.

To prevent serious accidents, proper pre-winter planning and training for operators are key. Prior to the winter season, each operator should inspect any plow routes they are expected to maintain. Look for any new road construction, changes to residential neighborhoods, and anything that could cause damage to the plow or could limit your visibility during a storm, and make a note. Re-train your operators on how to inspect the plow and how to troubleshoot any problems on the road. Set up a cones course in a parking lot to practice operating in tight areas. Veteran operators should take less experienced operators out with the plow attached to their assigned plow routes to coach them on how they can improve.

Fatigue management and wellness is not a traditional training topic for snowplow operators, but it should be. The stressful conditions of plowing snow and prolonged fatigue can cause serious health effects and should be prioritized. During some snowstorms, operators could be asked to work for 24 hours straight or more. This is a tall order even for the most experienced operators. It is very important to train your operators and supervisors on wellness fatigue management.

• Educate your staff on the importance of proper sleep, hydration, and nutrition during the snowplow season.
• Train your supervisors on how to identify signs of fatigue.
• Check in regularly with your operators.
• If possible, provide them with cots or a place to rest outside of the plow.
• Provide them with a healthy meal when a long storm is expected.
• Keep in mind that when an operator goes home, they have their own house to maintain and likely won’t be getting proper sleep even when they are off duty.
• For more Snow Plow Operator Training Tips, click here.

Did You Know?

Did you know that fire departments in the United States respond to 210 home fires each year (on average) resulting from Christmas tree fires? These incidents result in 2600+ injuries and nearly a billion dollars in property damage. Most of those fires are electrical in nature. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has great resources for you to share with your employees, co-workers, family, and friends: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays