SCAC Risk Management Services
Overview
Risk Management Services
SCAC's Video Training Library
Subscribe to SCAC's Risk Management Forum
Other Risk Management Resources
Because member contributions (premiums) are based upon both the accident histories of the individual counties (experience modifiers) and on the membership as a whole, both Trusts employ very aggressive risk management strategies. The philosophy adopted by the Trusts is that it is cheaper to prevent accidents than pay claims. Accordingly, the Trusts risk management staff conducts seminars, safety audits and other activities designed to reduce the probability of accidents and liability exposure for members. The benefits are lower premiums and a safer working environment.
- Management Consultation and Mentoring – the risk management staff serves as a training and consulting resource for members. Risk managers work with members to develop the basic elements of successful risk management programs.
- Hazard Identification Surveys – risk managers conduct surveys of members' property, work sites and general operations to identify hazards that could lead to accidents, property damage or liability exposures. Written recommendations are made to reduce identified hazards and exposures.
- Training – risk managers conduct customized training at members' facilities.
- Basic Risk Management Standards – all members are expected to meet basic minimum standards for risk management. Staff risk managers conduct audits to determine if the minimum standards are being met. Staff risk managers will conduct management consultation and training to assist members in meeting the standards listed below:
S.C. Counties Workers' Compensation Trust
- All First Reports of Injury should be submitted to the Trust's claims administrator, Companion, within an average of five days of the member's knowledge of an incident.
- All accidents must be investigated using an effective written accident investigation program. A written record of all accident investigations must be maintained and available for SCAC to review. Corrective actions must be documented.
- A transitional work program must be in place. Documentation must be available to verify that injured workers have been placed in effective transitional work whenever it is possible.
- Members must use a physician that is recommended by the Trust.
S.C. Counties Property & Liability Trust
- All claims must be reported to SCAC within an average of five days of the member's knowledge of an incident.
- All accidents must be investigated using an effective written accident investigation program. A written record of all accident investigations must be maintained and available for SCAC to review. Corrective actions must be documented.
- Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual Review – Working with agency personnel, risk managers review and discuss the department's policy and procedure manual as it relates to operations and mandated state standards. Sample policies relating to high liability issues are also provided to agencies that request assistance.
- Detention Center Staffing Study – Risk managers review blueprints and management philosophy with the facility administrator to help identify posts and positions. They also formulate the number of detention personnel—taking into consideration training, sick leave, vacation and other factors needed to operate a new or modified facility in the most secure and efficient manner possible. The risk managers submit a report to document the identified positions and services that will be performed at each post. They also work with the facility administrator and county chief administrative officer to present the findings to county council.
- Regional Training Seminars – Throughout the year, free regional training seminars on law enforcement and detention center topics will be conducted. The seminars focus on areas identified by sheriffs and detention center administrators. The lesson plans for these seminars are submitted to the S.C. Department of Public Safety, Criminal Justice Academy Division, for Continuing Law Enforcement Education credit.
- Defensive Driver Training Courses – Risk managers conduct numerous defensive driving courses for members on site, including:
- Defensive Driving 4 Course
– a four-hour, National Safety Council course designed for operators of non-emergency or maintenance vehicles. Training certificates are issued, and many insurers will redeem them for discounts on personal auto insurance.
- Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) Police
– a four-hour, National Safety Council course designed for sheriff's deputies. The course covers backing, running with lights and sirens, pulling offenders and legal rulings of accidents involving law enforcement vehicles. This course has been accredited by the S.C. Department of Public Safety, Criminal Justice Academy Division, for four hours of Continuing Law Enforcement Education credit.
- Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) EMS
– a four-hour, National Safety Council course designed for EMS.
- Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) Fire
– a four-hour, National Safety Council course designed for the fire service.
- Coaching the Maintenance Vehicle Operator
– a four-hour, National Safety Council course designed for public works employees.
- Certified County Risk Manager (CCRM) Training – CCRM training is designed for persons with the responsibility for coordinating risk management and safety activities for a department or the entire county. If this responsibility has not been assigned within your organization, the course also provides an excellent orientation to these responsibilities. Because some Trust members split the responsibility for risk management and safety among two or more staff members, counties may send more than one participant if space is available.
For more information or to register for CCRM training sessions, please contact Susan Chambers at 1-800-922-6081, ext. 338, or via e-mail.
- OSHA Training – the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of OSHA Voluntary Programs, provides OSHA training to our Trust members. This training can help counties reduce costs by reducing accidents and injuries. Compliance with OSHA standards also reduces the potential for regulatory fines.
For more information or to register for OSHA training sessions, please contact Susan Chambers at 1-800-922-6081, ext. 338, or via e-mail.
In addition to the training programs above, SCAC's risk managers can design custom training programs to fit members' unique needs. For more information, contact John Henderson at 1-800-922-6081, ext. 327, or via e-mail. For law enforcement training, contact Robert Benfield at 1-800-922-6081, ext. 311, or via e-mail.
SCAC has a library of more than 35 training and safety videos, which are available for members of the Trusts to borrow. Click on the link below for details.
Video Library Details
Trust members can also join the S.C. Occupational Safety Council (SCOSC) and take advantage of their extensive video library. Click on the link below for details.
SCOSC Video Catalog/Membership
SCAC offers a listserv forum for county risk managers. The listserv provides a means of discussing risk management issues and sharing questions/comments, ideas, solutions and announcements of interest.
Click to Subscribe
The South Carolina Association of Counties does not warrant the suitability of any products or services. Mention of any product or service is intended to illustrate potential resources that each Trust member must independently evaluate.
- Training Programs Provided by the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of OSHA Voluntary Programs – Contact Van Henson at (803) 896-7769 to request free training in your county. More than 40 training topics are available including Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazard Communication, Confined Space Entry Hazards, Lockout/Tagout, Electrical Safety Work Practices, Personal Protective Equipment, Office Safety, OSHA Record-keeping and Violence in the Workplace. It is recommended that training be scheduled 30 days in advance. The Office of OSHA Voluntary Programs also has an excellent website.
- Professional Education – The Insurance Institute of America (IIA) offers training and certification programs for safety and risk management professionals. The Associate in Risk Management (ARM) program is a self-study program that leads to the ARM designation. The institute also offers a course in Risk Management for Public Entities, which may be very helpful. IIA textbooks and study materials can be valuable references—even for those who do not enroll in courses. Contact the institute at 1-800-644-2101, or visit the IIA website.
- Internet Resources – click to access a list of government, nonprofit and legal websites that are useful to county risk managers.