June 30_Tribal Workers Comp Newsletter_Issue 1

2014 QTR 1&2
Issue I
A Message From
Derek Valdo, CEO
Thank you for your continued support
of “Tribes Protecting Tribes.” As the
only 100% Tribally owned and operated
insurance carrier in Indian Country,
AMERIND Risk strives to provide
the most effective, quality coverage for you. In today’s tough
economic climate we understand and appreciate your desire
for the best coverage for your employees while trying to save
valuable financial resources. The Tribal Workers’ Compensation
newsletter is part of our strategic approach and commitment
to keep our Tribes informed while providing injured employees
with a rich benefit.
SAFETY TIP!
Heat Stress
Heat stress hazards are among the most neglected health hazards
in the workplace. People have a tendency to equate heat stress
with just being hot and uncomfortable. But it is much more.
Heat stress is a serious health hazard. Death and serious injuries
can and do result every day to thousands of workers.
Heat Stress Factors:
• Environmental conditions: High air temperature, humidity,
radiant heat from equipment can quickly raise your internal
body temperature
AMERIND Risk’s Tribal Workers’ Compensation is your
alternative to State Workers’ Compensation. Our coverage is
a Tribally directed alternative to State Mandated laws, which
you are not required to comply. Tribal Workers’ Compensation
allows Tribes to exercise and maintain Tribal Sovereignty and
Self Determination. AMERIND’s programs are a testament to
our commitment to save Indian Country money and keep those
dollars in our Native communities and circulating in the Indian
Country economy.
• Workload: Working for extended times, heavy lifting, repetitive lifting, or actions likely to cause your body to expend a
lot of energy raises your internal body
We here at AMERIND Risk, are excited to share this newsletter
with you. It is full of information specific to Tribal workplace
safety, updates and notices. Let’s work together to keep your
costs affordable and Tribal employees safe and well cared for.
• Weight: Increased layers of fat prevent your body from
efficiently releasing heat and your body surface to body
weight ratio is less favorable for heat release.
Again, thank you for joining the AMERIND Risk family. By
choosing us as your insurance provider, you’ve joined the team
of “Tribes Protecting Tribes.” Our success is dependent on
your participation and continued support. As a Tribally owned
company, we are here to serve your needs.
• Clothing: Heavy clothing impedes your body’s ability to get
rid of heat. If you’re working outdoors, you’re more likely to
feel the heat if you’re wearing dark colors.
• Age: The older you are, the more at-risk you are for a heat
disorder. Workers over 40 have an increased risk. Total body
water decreases with age.
• Drugs and alcohol: Should never be used on the job.
Alcohol causes you’re body to dehydrate faster. Caffeine and
other drugs cause your body to lose water faster.
• History: If you’ve had a heat-related illness in the past,
you are much more likely to have another occurrence than
someone who hasn’t suffered a heat-related illness
Continued on page 3.
Derek Valdo, AMERIND Risk CEO
502 Cedar Dr., Santa Ana Pueblo, NM 87004 | www.AMERINDRisk.org | (800) 352-3496
Tribal Workers’ Compensation
Workplace Accidents and
Employee Safety Plans
Story By: Thane Crozier, AMERIND Risk Safety Specialist
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics 4,628 workers died from a work
related accident in 2012. Another 3
million workers suffered an injury or
illness while on the job. From 2009 –
2013, AMERIND Risk’s Tribal Workers’
Compensation program processed more
than 2100 claims costing more than 6
million dollars to Indian Country. These
numbers are disturbing, but what they
don’t show is the humanistic effects; the
pain and suffering and loss that accompanies each one of those workplace
accidents.
Employers can drastically reduce
employee injuries by implementing an
employee safety plan.
We need to share our safety policies and
procedures with our employees. We have
to teach them the proper techniques
to carry out their jobs safely. We need
to ensure that they know and practice
safe procedures every time that they are
completing work for us. Being safe is
more than just a legal responsibility; it is
a moral responsibility that will improve
the behavior and moral of our employees.
We need to know the safety procedures
and what we should do in the event of an
organizational emergency. An Employee
Safety Plan assists with being prepared. It
spells out our organizations’ safety procedures and goals. An Employee Safety
Plan will also assist with improving an
organizations’ operations. A plan will set
expectations, spell out responsibilities
for employees and supervisors, list procedures and contacts, and even spell out
consequences for not following the plan.
What’s more important than preventing
accidents to those we care about? That’s
the main object of an Employee Safety
Plan; preventing accidents before they
occur and minimizing the effects of
accidents to help keep our employees
safe. An additional benefit of a safe
culture is decreased costs for an organization; reduced medical costs, Workers
Compensation Insurance, payroll costs,
and indirect costs such as property
damages, lawsuits, and the decline of
employee morale and efficiency.
Employee Safety Plans are comprised of
multiple components including:
• Setting the Safety Culture
• Company Policy & Goals
• Measurements
• Participation, Resources, and
Accountability
• Claims Analysis
• Job Safety Analysis
SAFETY TIP!
Office Fire Alarm Drill
Evacuation
• Never assume an alarm is a test!
• Upon hearing a fire alarm, employees
must leave the building immediately.
Walk, don’t run. Evacuation maps
should be located throughout the
building.
• If there is a delay getting through the
exits, do not shove. Wait your turn.
Keep calm. Do not delay leaving the
building.
• Forget valuables, save your life!
• Assist any handicapped person or visitor in the building.
• All employees should meet at the assembly point or designated safe zone.
• The leadership team will contact a roll
call and determine the all-clear to return to the building.
• Worksite Hazard Analysis &
Inspections
• Determine Root Cause
• Controls: Administrative, Education, Equipment, and Design
• Communication Methods
• Written Policy and Procedures
• Record keeping
• Assessments and Improvements
• Safety Committees
• Safety Meetings
• Motivation, Recognition, and
Reward
• Safety Training
FACTS:
• There are an estimated 6,000 fires
that occur in office buildings every
year. (According to Seattle Fire Department)
• The main causes are cigarettes, arson
and wiring.
• An average of 4 people have been
killed and 37 injured in fires from
2004 to 2008. (according to the National Fire Protection Association)
• Fires cause about $108 million in
damages each year.
The AMERIND Risk Safety Team
assists Tribal Workers’ Compensation customers with development of
Employee Safety Plans. For more information please contact the AMERIND
Risk safety team at safetyservicesteam@
amerindrisk.org.
502 Cedar Dr., Santa Ana Pueblo, NM 87004 | www.AMERINDRisk.org | (800) 352-3496
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Tribal Workers’ Compensation
Trainings Available:
EHSC Scheduled Courses
(June - August 2014)
Nominations are now being accepted for the following training courses offered by the IHS Environmental Health Support Center (EHSC). Please
distribute this announcement to interested persons
(Tribal and IHS) within your area. Added info is
available at the EHSC web site:
<http://www.ehsc.ihs.gov/.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE COURSES:
1. Go to the EHSC web site:
<http://www.ehsc.ihs.gov/.
2. Click on “Classes and Registration” on the left
side of the page
3. Find the desired class among those listed, and
click on the title to see the description
4. When you find your desired course, click on
“Register For This Class” under the course description, and follow the directions to register.
Nominations are requested for the following training courses (Please see full list to the right.):
SAFETY TIP!
Heat Stress (continued)
Heat Stress Prevention Tips:
• Drink Water: Drink 5 to 7 ounces of fluids
every 15 to 20 minutes to replenish fluids
lost by sweating in hot conditions
• Acclimatize: It may take 3-5 days for your
body to get used to working in hot conditions
• Clothing: Wear light colored and light
weight clothing.
• Rest Cycles and Habits: Take occasional
breaks in the shade to let your body recover.
Try to perform the most stressful tasks
during the cooler parts of the day. Eat light,
cool meals during work and your heaviest
meal in the evening or when your work day
is over. Get sufficient sleep
502 Cedar Dr., Santa Ana Pueblo, NM 87004 | www.AMERINDRisk.org | (800) 352-3496
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Tribal Workers’ Compensation
Confronting Workplace Bullying
Today there is no existing legislation addressing bullying in
the workplace. However offending behaviors that employers
choose not to take seriously can expose an entity to legal risk.
Learn the definition of bullying and how to recognize it. Understand why it’s important to confront such behaviors and
learn tactics how to stop the behavior.
In 2012, the Society for Human Resource Management reported that 51 percent of the employers it surveyed had incidents of bullying in their workplaces.
What is the definition of workplace bullying?
According to the Department of Labor: Bullying is an ongoing pattern of physical or psychological aggression that is
threatening, coercive, relentless and leaves the victim feeling
powerless.
Types of workplace bullying:
• Intimidating or Undermining
• Threats
• Isolation
• Impossible expectations
• Humiliating
• Degrading
How should this issue be handeled?
There are several steps that need to be taken with an issue as
sensitive as this one.
After defining workplace bullying, you must then identify
behaviors, address those behaviors and then establish certain
policies or procedures to address the issue.
Please contact us at (800) 352-3496 for the full presentation, which
was given at the 2014 AMERIND Risk Institute. This was presented by
AMERIND Risk’s Director of Human Resources, Amanda Ross.
Meet the
AMERIND Risk Safety Team
2014 SAFETY TEAM
Thane Crozier, ARM-P, WCLS, CSM, AINS, has
worked as a safety specialist for AMERIND Risk
since 2008. Thane is a risk manager with expertise
in workers compensation and workplace safety.
Alec Grandon, MSIM, CPCU, RF, has over 25
years of experience in risk management and insurance, and is a member of the Society of Insurance
Trainers and Educators. His expertise includes
emergency preparedness and management,
business continuity, and fire prevention.
Anthony Herrera, CSM, SEM, started with
AMERIND Risk in 2009 and has since certified
over 700 students in First Aid and CPR. Anthony
has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with an
emphasis in data analysis and five years experience
working in the insurance industry.
Kellyann Meloche, CSM, SEM, is a member
of the Iroquois Mohawk Nation of Kahnawake.
Kellyann is new to AMERIND Risk and working
as a Safety Specialist. She comes to us with 20
years’ experience working in the public safety/
emergency services field, specializing in Emergency
Management. She is also a fire fighter with 18
years’ experience and currently completing her
Bachelors of Public Safety with Justice Institute of
British Columbia.
The AMERIND Risk Safety Team assists Tribal
Workers’ Compensation customers with development
of Employee Safety Plans. For more information please
contact the AMERIND Risk safety team at:
[email protected].
502 Cedar Dr., Santa Ana Pueblo, NM 87004 | www.AMERINDRisk.org | (800) 352-3496
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