Keep an Eye Out for Risk Management Grant and Recognition Ideas
When you’re out doing field observations or reviewing Core 6 concepts with staff at the beginning of the work day, keep an eye out for ingenious safety solutions employees have created. You may discover a Risk Management Grant and Recognition idea that’s just waiting for you to submit it. Or maybe your agency has a particular challenge that needs a creative solution; once you develop it, don't forget to submit it.
“Take a close look at your agency’s claims history to identify any patterns and then look for ways to better manage those risks,” says Tim Lenac, PDRMA Risk Management Consultant. “Your agency’s Plans of Action are a good starting point, but be sure to get staff feedback and pay attention to loss report trends.” Together, that information can help identify a solution that will help you better manage risks. And with a submission deadline of Sept. 11, you still have plenty of time to identify Risk Management Grant and Recognition ideas.
Lenac notes that after pinpointing a problem’s cause, past grant winners found it helpful to brainstorm possible solutions and research their options before making a decision. “There’s no one right way to approach this,” he says. “Some solutions are high tech but others are all about ingenuity — using common things in an unconventional way to solve a particular problem. The bottom line is safety and the ability of other PDRMA members to benefit from that idea as well.”
The program awarded nine grants in 2014 for ideas ranging from ergonomic safety training programs and a rotating access bridge, to using iPads to calm SRA program participants and installing barrier shields to prevent flooding.
PDRMA’s Risk Management Committee reviews submissions each year and may choose to award multiple grants in increments of $250 with a minimum award of $500 and a maximum award of $2,500. The maximum amount awarded per year is $7,500.
Loss and exposure-based cost drivers should be the foundation of grant submissions, including the following:
- Injury prevention — ergonomics, stretching, slip/trip/fall, lifting, material handling.
- Property conservation — fire protection, vandalism, water intrusion/flood.
- Other exposures — fleet exposures, employment practices, pollution.
- Plans of Action — exposures identified through individual agency Plans of Action.
The 2015 deadline for submissions is Sept. 11, and you can email proposals to Tim Lenac. Your proposed project/program must either already be operational or scheduled to become operational within six months of being awarded the funds. Applicants must use LRN #1610 — Risk Management Grant and Recognition Program Submission Form (fillable form) to submit the application.
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