Meetings:
May 10, 2023
Training & Risk Management Committee
May 16, 2023
Membership Relations Committee
May 18, 2023
Coverage, Claims & Litigation Committee
May 25, 2023
Administration & Finance Committee
June 1, 2023
Executive Board Meeting
June 13, 2023
Board of Directors Meeting
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PWSC April 4th Meeting Packet |
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April 4th Public Works Steering Committee Meeting Recap |
In light of the recent death of a public works employee in Westmont, the Public Works Steering Committee used their April meeting to re-emphasize the importance of safety and training for all Public Works Departments. While specific details regarding the Westmont tragedy were not discussed, the committee held a robust discussion with panelists regarding managing safety, workplace fatalities, and OSHA compliance.
Based on the discussion the PWSC Officers adopted additional goals:
- Changing the narrative around dedicating time to train
- Overcoming obstacles with staffing and work load
- Development of a network for specialized PW safety professionals to share information on policies, practices, & training
- Breakdown of silos to allow proper cross-training with fire department/districts in rescue operations of high-hazard operations
- Recognition of the need for mental health services in the workplace
Thank you to the PWSC Officers: Rick Radde (Director, LaGrange Park), Matt Supert (Director, Western Springs), and Tyler Isham (Asst. Director, Bartlett); as well as our guest panelists Public Works Directors Phil Modaff (Carol Stream) and Jennifer Hughes (Oswego) for sharing their experiences, and finally to the Village of Oak Brook for providing the meeting location.
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IRMA's May Training Opportunities |
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May 1 - May 3, 2023
(3-Days)
May 3, 2023
May 3, 2023
May 15 - May 19, 2023
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May 17, 2023
May 22 - May23, 2023
(3-Days)
May 23, 2023
May 25, 2023
May 30 - June 1, 2023
(3-Days)
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Margie is retiring!
Please join us on May 23rd as we celebrate her entire career.
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Financial reports and coverage documents required for year-end audit confirmations can now be found on the IRMA website under “Governance”. Any claim detail reports can be found on your member specific page under “claims”. All Financial reports labeled as DRAFT are preliminary documents and are subject to change. Final financial reports will typically not be available until the end of June once our annual audit is complete. Please make sure you forward this information to your auditors if necessary. For questions regarding financial reports contact Ashli Boss and for coverage documents please contact Susan Garvey.
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Transferring Your Risk for Special Events and Festivals
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The season of special events and festivals brings with it an increased exposure to risks. The most common risks during this season include bodily injury to event attendees or participants or property damage to Village or others’ property. Understanding potential risks and how to transfer them is an important part of each member’s risk management procedures. |
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Application Period Opens May 1st
Innovative Risk Management Award
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The Innovative Risk Management Award recognizes members that exhibit a commitment to the safety of their employees, facilities and public. By putting safety in the forefront, members are reducing losses, thus reducing their contributions. As your partner in risk management, IRMA is offering its members the opportunity to be awarded for creative solutions that reduce risks and enhance safety.
The award recipient is selected by September 15. The award is presented during the October Board of Director’s Meeting and highlighted in the October IRMA E-News. To enter, simply complete the IRMA Award Application. Applications are open to all members and its individual operating departments. The application period is open
May 1 – August 31.
Award selection is based on review by the Training and Risk Management Committee and IRMA staff. Criteria for selection of an application is dependent upon the entry of the program, equipment, technology or protocol that successfully addresses emerging risks in the public sector with an ability to be adopted by other members or neighboring communities.
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2022 IRMA Award Winner: Village of Carol Stream.
From Left to Right: Network Engineer Rakesh Patel and IT Director Marc Talavera
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Take Advantage of your Concierge Cyber Membership
IRMA has purchased every member a membership with Concierge Cyber. Modeled after roadside assistance, Concierge Cyber is a global network of highly experienced professionals specializing in data privacy, security, legal and crisis management.
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Password Fatigue-The Risks and Some Solutions to Consider
Password fatigue is the feeling experienced by many people who are required to remember an excessive number of passwords as part of their daily routine, such as to login to a computer at work, or conduct banking from an atm.
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Risk Management & Training |
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Trenching & Excavation Resources
This is high-hazard work and requires diligence in following policy, workplace oversight, and training.
Below are articles and resources available to members that help with education and compliance with the OSHA Standard.
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Alarming Increase in deaths result in OSHA Region 5 Campaign to educate and alert Midwest Employers of deadly excavation hazards.
Thirty-nine people died doing trench or excavation work in the U.S. in 2022 - four in Illinois and two others in Ohio. In fact, the number of fatalities more than doubled since 2021, continuing a troubling trend cited by the BLS that found 166 workers died in trench cave-ins from 2011-2018, an average of 21 each year. OSHA & it's partners have launched an outreach campaign. For more information & resources click the link below.
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Permit Required
Confined Space Entry
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Following the OSHA-Certified 3-Day Permit-Required Confined Space Entry course offered in March, IRMA has received several inquiries for clarification about the standard and how it applies to Public Works Operations. For clarification, we've rounded up resources and additional guidance. |
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May 1st - May 5th
National Safety Stand-Down: Fall Prevention
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Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be the leading cause of death for construction employees. But it isn't just construction employees that are exposed to this risk. Any workplace exposed can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforce the importance of fall prevention. |
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JSA - Backhoes
Update Public Works JSA-Backhoes. Download it today!
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Medication Dispensing & Storage Model Policy
New Medication Dispensing & Storage Model Policy. Download it today!
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New Member Portal for IRMA Claims Coming Soon |
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IRMA members will soon be able to set up a claim in IRMA’s claim software, RiskMaster. Some IRMA members have not felt comfortable emailing or faxing employee social security numbers to IRMA when submitting workers’ compensation claim forms. We cannot set up a new claim without the injured worker’s social security number. As such, in these instances, there are delays in setting up the claim as we call the member, leave messages, wait for return calls. This can be frustrating for all involved. IRMA sets up close to 2,000 claims each year. It is imperative that new claims are set up as expeditiously as possible so that injured workers get timely approvals for treatment, prescription card information and IRMA’s adjusters make timely contacts and investigations. For all these reasons, we have created a secure portal for those members to set up the claims with the social security number and we then avoid those delays. |
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A Solution to Delayed
Pension Board Decisions
When a police officer or a firefighter suffers a career ending injury, delays in the pension process can be costly. We have frequent communication with our members in these situations, with the goal to expedite the pension to reduce the PEDA, TTD and overtime costs.
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Case Dismissed with Prejudice after Arrest of Student During COVID-19
During the height of the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency, a teacher in a local high school district observed plaintiffs’ minor son playing with what was believed to be a handgun during a remote learning class.
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Register Today!
2nd Annual
Mental Health Stand Down
May 15-May 19
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Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency
999 Oakmont Plaza Drive, Suite 310
Westmont, IL 60559
(708) 562-0300
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