Welcome!Welcome!

Risk Management Training

For

VCE Master Gardeners

Liability CoverageLiability Coverage

• VCE- Master Gardeners are covered by Virginia Cooperative Extension under the Commonwealth of Virginia self-insurance program

• It is a comprehensive general liability policy

Liability CoverageLiability Coverage

• This insurance program covers employees and volunteers while participating in or leading VCE- Master Gardener programs that have been approved by the agent-- in cases of negligence or liability only.

• Any medical problem arising from volunteer work is the individual MG’s responsibility through their personal health insurance

Liability Coverage LimitationsLiability Coverage Limitations

• Master Gardeners are not covered under this insurance for pesticide use or pest control recommendations conducted outside of VCE programs

Biological Weapons Inspector?

Biological Weapons Inspection Team

A. Requirements for coverageA. Requirements for coverage

You could be an active VCE Master Gardener volunteer if…….

You have completed a VCE Volunteer application or Master Gardener renewal form.

Activity is an agent approved activity

Any chemical recommendations you make as a Master Gardener must come from the current edition of the Pesticide Management Guide

A. Requirements for coverageA. Requirements for coverage

You should be working on an agent approved activity

You may submit new activity proposals for agent approval

Reporting service hours and contacts is required.

The Air Conditioner Repairman

B. ElementsB. Elements

All four elements of liability must be present in the situation:

The city council maintenance team

Element #1Element #1

“Existence of a legal duty to protect the injured party from reasonable risks of harm that can be reasonably foreseen.”

As a volunteer, you assume a legal duty. You are expected to plan to prevent injury or accident

The Electrician

Element #2Element #2

“A failure to perform that duty of care. “

Ignorance and inexperience are no excuse. Anticipate problems that may occur

Element #3Element #3

“An injury suffered by the claimant (person filing the claim). Injury may be physical, mental or property.”

The WMD warehouse manager

Element #4Element #4

“A reasonably close causal relationship between the breach of duty and the claimant’s injury.”

The burden of proof is on the claimant

The shooting gallery assistant

How to Ruin a Lawyer’s DayHow to Ruin a Lawyer’s Day

Document your planning and training:

• Notes to the effect that you know who you have duty of care for

• Analyze the activity and environment for hazards on paper

• Write down your contingency plans for accidents or incidents

B. Evaluating the RisksB. Evaluating the Risks

• Anticipate safety hazards

• “Planning for the Best and the Worst”

• Brainstorm a ‘hazards checklist’

• Have a Plan B… and C

C. In the Event of an Incident...C. In the Event of an Incident...

Submit the Accident / Incident Report for:– personal injuries or accidents to participants

or volunteers– serious injuries

In the event of...In the event of...

• serious multiple injuries, or fatalities,

• incidents that involve law enforcement,

• or incidents that may result in litigation

..follow the card listing

Emergency Procedures

In the event of a mistake...In the event of a mistake...

• Liability and legal counsel from Virginia Tech Insurance Coverage for Volunteers

• Visit the VCE website: http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/policies/

riskmgt/riskmgt.html

EMERGENCY CONTACTS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Office: 703-228-6423 or -6400

University Relations: 540-231-5396

State Police: Cell Phone: #77

VT Police: 540-231-6411

Cell: 302-381-8806

VT Legal Counsel: 540-231-6293

State Police Local: 703-838-4660

Local Police: Alex:703-838-4444 Arl:703-558-2222

Fire Dept: Arl: 703-558-2222 Alex: 703-838-4660

THESE PROCEDURES SHOULD ONLY BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT OF A FATALITY OR AN EMERGENCY WHICH INVOLVES

SERIOUS INJURIES OR LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS.Information on how to handle incidents of a lesser nature, or on what forms to complete, may be found in

the Risk Management Information Guide for Virginia Cooperative Extension. The general switchboard number for Virginia Tech is 540-231-6000.

First Contact: Risk Mgmt. Office: 540-231-7439 Home: N/A

Supervisor: Name: Kirsten Buhls