Summer 2019
SERMA Conference Marks 30th Anniversary

"The SERMA Conference’s 30th Anniversary was a huge success,” announced Kristin Klein, Director of Safety Services and Chair of the SERMA Risk Management Committee. Early results indicated “all positive feedback” from some of the 211 guests who represented 17 State agencies and attended the event at the Boumi Shriner’s Temple in Rosedale on Thursday, May 23.


IWIF/Chesapeake Employers Sponsors New Seminars on Active Shooter Preparedness
As part of its Good Citizen initiative, IWIF/Chesapeake Employers is sponsoring a new series of seminars on Active Shooter Preparedness.

Training topics include:
  • Common sense disaster response planning
  • Best practices to reduce casualties and increase chance of survival
  • Situational awareness
  • The three stages of disaster response
  • When the police respond

Two upcoming sessions have been scheduled; click on each date for details and to register. These half-day, morning seminars are free to attend, but registration is required.

Additional dates are also being planned; check our website or contact your SERMA Risk Management Consultant for more information.
New Website Unveiled

IWIF/Chesapeake Employers has unveiled a newly redesigned public website. The new website features a modern and open look, a responsive design to fit any device, simplified navigation, and a new search capability.
 
Kristin Klein explains: "Only the 'front door' of our new website has changed. All User Names and Passwords remain the same, so you will still be able to access our eServices for Maryland State agencies. The eServices interface will remain the same for now, until we introduce some new portals at a later date.

"We will keep everyone informed of our progress as we continue to improve the User Experience for you!"

May 16 Designated as "Move Over" Day

May 16 was officially designated as “Move Over Day” by the State of Maryland this year. In a social media post announcing the news, the Maryland State Police featured Chesapeake Employers’ poster, which was created by Chesapeake Employers Insurance/IWIF for a public awareness campaign about Maryland’s Move Over law.

The Move Over law was passed to help ensure the safety of police and fire emergency responders working along our busy roads. The law was expanded to include tow truck drivers, recycling trucks, trash trucks, and service or utility trucks. The law requires motorists to move over into the next lane or slow down considerably to avoid hitting any emergency workers.

As awareness about Maryland’s Move Over law has grown, the State Police reports the number of violations it has issued has gone down significantly. From 2014 to 2018, the number of warnings has dropped by 53%, and the number of citations has dropped by 75%.
Safety Training Meets Virtual Reality

It’s a brave new world where Virtual Reality (VR) is changing the way we conduct safety. IWIF/Chesapeake Employers recently added virtual reality technology to its repertoire of workplace safety trainings to help employers reduce injury severity and frequency.

“We are piloting the new VR system with certain employers right now,” explains Kristin Klein, Director of Safety Services. “We plan to introduce this new technology to others as well. The new system will not replace our existing safety trainings; we are simply adding this new technology to our mix of safety training options for employers.”

Similar to that video game experience, VR uses an immersive, interactive experience to teach safety best practices. Users strap on a special headset and hand controls and enter an animated world where everything looks and feels real. Four workplace trainings are currently available – Forklift Operation, Construction Site Safety, Beam Walk, and Lockout-Tagout.

To request a VR or other IWIF training, please contact your dedicated Risk Management Consultant.
Claims Adjuster Tip of the Quarter:
Information Needed when Reporting an Injury

You'll need the following information when reporting an injury to us:

1.     Your name and phone number (as the person authorized to submit injury
reports);
2.     Your agency or facility name and agency code;
3.     The name of the injured worker and his or her Social Security Number
(this will be kept confidential);
4.     The date, time and location of the injury;
5.     Body part(s) injured;
6.     Brief description of the accident.
 
Note : It’s also a good idea for the individual reporting the injury or a supervisor to take photos of the accident scene at the time of reporting to preserve the details of the accident scene.
IWIF/Chesapeake Employers Insurance | 8722 Loch Raven Blvd., Towson, MD 21286