2015 Risk Management Grant and Recognition Winners

Once again, members have found innovative and effective ways to recognize, diagnose and remedy safety issues for staff and patrons. PDRMA received a record number of entries — 45 — in 2015, and the Risk Management Committee ultimately selected 13 winners.

Each year, the Risk Management Committee awards grants in $500 increments, to an individual maximum of $2,500. The program’s maximum annual award amount is $7,500.

Agency: Batavia Park District
Program: Quarry Beach Pre-visit Safety Video
Contact: Jennifer Bruggeman, Human Resources and Risk Manager
Amount: $500

Program Overview: The safety video will show check-in procedures, provide a site overview, convey patron and outside group expectations and include safety tips for the Harold Hall Quarry Beach. The agency will provide a link to the video whenever someone rents the facility. It reinforces the importance of chaperoning children and will help reduce the risk of drowning and other site-related risks.

Agency: Bloomingdale Park District
Program: Cargo Glide 2000XL Sliding Platform
Contact: Mark Goode, Safety Coordinator
Amount: $750

Program Overview: The Cargo Glide eliminates the need for employees to climb in and out of the back of a pick-up/utility truck or reach over the side to access materials. It minimizes the risk of slip, trip and fall incidents and musculoskeletal injuries.

Agency: Buffalo Grove Park District
Program: Golf and Sports Center R&R Ball Vacuum
Contact: Tim Beckmann, Risk Manager
Amount: $500

Program Overview: The vacuum eliminates the need for staff to lift and carry baskets of golf balls from the golf ball picker to the hitting stations, which requires climbing from the bottom floor to the second floor. The vacuum limits slip, trip and fall hazards and provides improved ergonomic solutions for employees with repetitive lifting tasks during busy times at the Golf Dome.

Agency: Champaign Park District
Program: Project Propane Post Driver
Contact: Wendy Zindars, Risk Manager
Amount: $750

Program Overview: The post driver, which drives posts ranging from a 5/8” grounding rod to a 4.5-pound U-channel post, operates off a small internal combustion motor. This completely self-contained system enables one person to drive posts into hard, dry, frozen or even rocky ground. It is a safe and efficient alternative to manual post-driver installations.

Agency: Dundee Township Park District
Program: Contaminated Gloves On/Off System
               Modification of Ball Mark Repair Tool Handle
               Modification of Rake Handle
               Pallet Wash Rack
               Transporting a Hole Cutter
Contact: Mike Sprouse, Superintendent of Golf Maintenance
Amount: $500

Program Overview: By mounting standard plumbing fixtures an inch from the wall, staff can remove contaminated gloves without touching the contaminant, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. The other programs found ergonomic ways to wash out baskets that collect grass clippings, rake wide/steep/long golf course bunkers, reduce bending while repairing ball marks and safely transport a hole cutter.

Agency: Elk Grove Park District
Program: Wind Speed Sensor for Amusement Rides and Special Events
Contact: Anita Healy, Risk Manager
Amount: $500

Program Overview: Pirates Cove Amusement Park includes an inflatable bounce house and climbing wall, both of which specify not to use the attractions at certain wind speeds. The sensor provides dual warning alarms at pre-set speeds so shutdown procedures can begin when necessary. It is much more accurate than the manual readings previously done. 

Agency: Frankfort Square Park District
Program: Green, Yellow and Red Advanced Maintenance Equipment Operation Training and Risk Management Program
Contact: Jim Randall, Executive Director
Amount: $750

Program Overview: Frankfort Square developed a six-module training program based on a green/yellow/red risk exposure classification system. All agency equipment carries a green, yellow or red designation indicating the degree of risk involved in using the equipment. The color-coding is visually recognizable and easily understood. Maintenance staff must complete the training before doing any maintenance tasks or operating any agency equipment.

Agency: Kankakee Valley Park District
Program: Customized Dolly to Ensure Safe Lifting and Handling
Contact: Steve Gilbert, Aquatics General Manager
Amount: $500

Program Overview: Managers at the Ice Valley Ice Centre identified a lifting/moving hazard associated with the hockey goals. The agency modified a regular HOSS dolly to fit a hockey goal properly and eliminate the hazard. Staff can now easily load the goals onto the dolly and push them to the proper locations without straining backs or legs.

Agency: McHenry County Conservation District
Program: Back Defender for Law Enforcement
Contact: Jenny Heider, Human Resources Manager
Amount: $500

Program Overview: The weight of an officer’s duty belt can result in lower-back pain in addition to promoting other health problems. The Back Defender suspenders for duty belts provide additional support and reduce associated pain. All officers now use the Back Defender and report reduced lower-back pain and fewer related problems.

Agency: Naperville Park District
Program: Athletic Field Mixing Station
Contact: Becky Cooper, Safety Manager
Amount: $750

Program Overview: The park district identified a material-handling concern related to the number of 5-gallon buckets of field paint used to stripe athletic fields. Naperville researched alternatives to reduce the number of buckets staff used and designed a paint-mixing station like one it had been using in another location. The station not only reduced the number of buckets handled but also reduced product waste. 

Agency: Rockford Park District
Program: Pipe Press
Contact: Pete Stankiewicz, Risk Manager
Amount: $500

Program Overview: Rockford purchased a Rigid Pro Press RP 340 that allows plumbing staff to fix and replace leaking/broken pipes without using flames or a heat source in or around buildings. This device also eliminates the need to carry and store propane canisters at facilities and in vehicles. It can operate using battery packs as well as electricity.

Agency: Vernon Hills Park District
Program: Fix the Pics for Your Core 6
Contact: Jessica Mitchell, Safety and Community Relations Coordinator
Amount: $500

Program Overview: The Safety Committee developed a unique way to involve staff in identifying the correct way to perform Core 6 activities. Each Monday for four weeks, the committee distributed photos to employees and asked them to identify the Core 6 activity and how the person should perform it correctly. The email also included answers for the previous week’s pictures.

Agency: Waukegan Park District
Program: Facility Inspection Video
Contact: Tanya Brady, Manager of Risk Management
Amount: $500

Program Overview: Waukegan created a 10-minute video that provides consistent training to those responsible for conducting facility inspections. The video addresses spaces unique to parks and recreation environments and identifies common problem areas. It also explains how to conduct more complete and thorough inspections of facilities.

If your agency is interested in applying for a 2016 grant, you can find more information about the program by downloading LRN #768 — Risk Management Grant and Recognition Program and submit LRN #1610 — Risk Management Grant and Recognition Program Submission Form.