Dock Inspections

Living in Minnesota, our docks go through a great deal of rough weather. Therefore, you want to make sure you are maintaining your docks to ensure that the users are provided with a safe structure. Ideally, docks should be inspected at each season change. Dock inspections should include looking at the anchorage, walkway, handrails, deck, flotation, and steel connections. Inspect for broken lumber or welds, protruding nails, entrapment hazards and pinch points. Docks should be cleaned on an annual basis. Any rotting or decay that is present should be acted upon quickly. The longer the issue is present the more damage that may occur. Maintaining, cleaning and inspecting docks reduces the likelihood of a liability claim occurring. OMAG provides a checklist for docks.

While these conditions all present a variety of liability exposures, they can also present additional concerns. Issues such as winter freeze can create gaps and transition plates can move, which can result in potential ADA issues. United States Access Board provides additional information on ADA compliance with docks.

Submitted by: Kate Connell, Loss Control Consultant

Coronavirus Awareness

The Coronavirus has been a big topic in the current news and your City should be aware of the emerging risk. The Minnesota Department of Health has information about 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The general health and wellness of employees is important. Further, first responders have a higher risk of exposure, if exposed this may create workers compensation risks. More information on the risks can be found in this article by Seyfarth, Coronavirus:Employer Liability Issues.

Although, there have not been any cases in Minnesota, Cities should be prepared. Additional information on preparedness and response can be found in this report by Marsh, Outbreaks, Epidemics and Pandemics: Preparednessand Response Strategies.

Cities should be aware of any updates with the Coronavirus. Guy Carpenter created a current Pandemic Coronavirus Update.

In addition, the Insurance Journal spoke on what the Coronavirus means for the insurance industry. The video can be viewed here, the Coronavirus and Its Impact on the Insurance Industry.

Submitted by: Kate Connell, Loss Control Consultant

What training is required again?

It’s a new year! Are you getting all your required annual training?

A lack of proper safety training attributes to accidents and deaths each year. It’s not just a good idea, it’s required that city personnel be trained. Safety training is essential for maintaining compliance with regulations, keeping workers’ compensation costs down, and most importantly, keeping your most valuable resource, your employees, safe and healthy.

We know it’s hard to stay current with state and federal regulations, so we did it for you. Here is a Safety Training Table to help guide you in your required training.

How can we receive this required annual training?

If you are part of the League of Minnesota Insurance Trust (LMCIT) Regional Safety Group (RSG), your RSG Coordinator can help to ensure compliance and proper training is being met. Safety training companies, community colleges, and Minnesota Safety Council are good resources for safety training.

Another option is LMCIT’s NEOGOV Safety Training. NEOGOV Safety Training is an affordable and convenient web-based training for all employees. This tool provides access to more than 60 online training courses covering a wide variety of safety topics that can provide basic training for new employees, as well as refresher training for experienced and seasonal employees.

Need a supplement to your training or a quick refresher to your safety meetings? New this year, we have 342 streaming safety videos through CoastalFlix . This is available free of charge to all League members and replaces our DVD library.

Submitted by: Julie Jelen, Loss Control Consultant