A strong safety culture can prevent injuries. But how do you measure the strength of your safety culture? Waukegan Park District decided to investigate and worked with the National Safety Council (NSC) to use its Safety Perception Survey to assess what employees think about Waukegan’s safety culture.

“We did an initial survey in July 2014,” explains Tanya Brady, Waukegan Manager of Risk Management, “holding multiple staff meetings, so we could get a response from every employee.” Brady returned the completed surveys to NSC for evaluation, and the agency received results about two months later...

Midwest winters can be tough for agencies’ Parks and Facilities staff, but preplanning and preventive maintenance can improve safety and performance throughout the season.

At Elk Grove Park District there’s plenty to do long before the first snowflake hits the ground. A key element, according to Anita Healy, Risk Manager, is preparing the Snow and Ice Removal Operation Plan. The plan is a comprehensive and detailed handbook covering operations, general procedures, safety and much more.

“We review and update our plan for each winter,” says Healy, “and assign roles such as Snow Captains, Snow Teams and Alternates.” The plan includes a snow-plowing priority list, so maintenance and facility staff are on the same page — literally. The plan has timelines, phone numbers, and even includes diagrams for plowing — with special notes about where NOT to put snow...

Attendees at our 2015 Risk Management Institute on Nov. 20 at the Tinley Park Convention Center will learn how to have a safety culture at work and at home. This year’s theme...

Vandalism is a challenging — and expensive — property crime to control. Between 2007 and 2011, PDRMA paid out $1.6 million in vandalism claims, but that doesn’t include the cost...