IN THIS ISSUE - Florida Department of Financial Services · coordinators can promote fire...

ISSUE 5 | VOLUME 5 | SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014

Florida Department of Financial Services

Division of Risk Management

200 East Gaines Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

IN THIS ISSUE:

► FDOT ONLINE DEFENSIVE

DRIVING COURSE

UPDATE

1

► 2014 FIRE PREVENTION

WEEK: WORKING SMOKE

ALARMS SAVE LIVES

2

► ARE YOU FOLLOWING

THE LATEST

DEVELOPMENTS WITH

I2P2?

2

► LABORATORY TRAINING

PROGRAM—A CLOSER

LOOK AT UCF’s AWARD-

WINNING PROGRAM

4

► NEW OSHA BROCHURE

HELPS PROTECT

HEALTHCARE WORKERS

FROM MSD INJURIES

5

► SAFETY & LOSS

PREVENTION

SPOTLIGHT: JULIUS

HALAS

6

► FIRE SAFETY TIPS

POSTER 7

► TRANSFORM YOUR

SAFETY CULTURE USING

“SIX SIGMA”

8

► EMPLOYEE WELLNESS:

MAKING SMART CHOICES 9

► FIRE PREVENTION &

SAFETY CROSSWORD

PUZZLE

10

► AMERISYS: A LOOK AT

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS,

CHALLENGES, AND THE

FUTURE: PART 1

11

► CROSSWORD ANSWERS 12

► KEEP EMERGENCY EXITS

CLEAR 13

In this issue of the Safety and Loss Prevention Outlook newsletter, learn how safety

professionals across the country are looking at six sigma as a tool to transform their safety

programs. Fire Prevention week kicks off October 5—Do you know this year’s Fire safety

theme? Also, join us as we take a closer look at the University of Central Florida’s award

winning training program.

Check out these stories, and much more, in this issue of the Safety and Loss Prevention

Outlook newsletter. As always, we look forward to your feedback on how we are doing. You

may submit feedback, story ideas, and articles to the following email address:

[email protected].

In March 2014, the Division of Risk Management (DRM), State of Florida Loss

Prevention program (SFLPP) launched the online Defensive Driving course developed by

the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Offered through DRM’s Learning Management System, the Defensive Driving course is a

3-hour computer-based course that contains 11 training modules on topics such as safety

driving practices, impaired driving, and licensing and state law. Participants who take the

course are not required to complete the course

in one sitting—they can complete a module

and move onto something else, and then return

to complete another module at another time.

Since introducing the course through DRM’s

Learning Management System, several Florida

agencies have taken advantage of this resource

to train employees in safe driving practices.

Most recently, the Florida Department of

Education (FDOE) has utilized the Defensive

Driving course for its employees who operate fleet vehicles, with approximately 70 FDOE

employees completing the training in August 2014. DRM can assist safety coordinators by

providing customized data reports on a monthly basis to monitor the frequency and cost of

automobile liability claims at an agency or university, as well as furnishing training

reports to help safety coordinators track when and how many employees in their agencies

have completed the course.

To obtain information on how you can utilize the FDOT Defensive Driving course for

employees at your agency or university, and how DRM can assist you in monitoring your

training program, contact SFLPP at the following email address:

[email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


P A G E 2





SAFETY & LOSS PREVENTION OUTLOOKSAFETY & LOSS PREVENTION OUTLOOK

S E P T E M B E R – O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4 P A G E 2

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, which takes place October 5-11, 2014,

the Division of Risk Management, State of Florida Loss Prevention Program

(SFLPP) encourages safety coordinators to use this week to promote fire safety at

their agency or university. Some simple and cost effective ways safety

coordinators can promote fire prevention include sending an e-mail to employees

during fire prevention week, conducting a fire drill, or scheduling a brief meeting

with safety committee members and floor wardens to discuss fire prevention.

This year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week is Working Smoke Alarms Save

Lives: Test Yours Every Month. Many people do not test their smoke alarms as

often as they should, while others do not test their smoke alarms at all. The

National Fire Protection Association suggests testing smoke alarms monthly. If

testing a smoke alarm monthly is too much, SFLPP encourages state employees to

change their smoke alarm batteries at the beginning and end of Daylight Saving

Time. For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit:

http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week.

As an agency or university safety coordinator,

consider the following facts that could have a

direct impact on an organization’s safety

operational performance and revenues:

► Employers paid $55.4 billion in 2011—

more than 1 billion per week—for direct

workers’ compensation costs (medical plus

indemnity) for the most disabling workplace

injuries and illnesses. 1

► Each prevented lost-time injury or illness

saves $37,000, and each avoided

occupational fatality saves $1,390,000.2

► Serious workplace injuries and illnesses can cause an enormous amount of physical,

emotional, and financial hardship for affected workers and their families. 3

“Don’t tell people

how to do things,

tell them what to

do and let them

surprise you with

their results.”

~George S. Patton

Continued on next page

http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week

P A G E 3






P A G E 3

After reading these facts and statistics, it is clear to see that taking a proactive and

preventive approach to safety and loss prevention can save lives and money. According

to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one proactive approach

employers can take to reduce workplace accidents is the implementation of an injury

and illness prevention program, also known as I2P2. An I2P2 standard would require

employers to develop and implement a plan to identify and abate hazards. Simply

stated, I2P2 is a risk-management approach used by many of the safest and best

companies in the country. OSHA states that employers who implement a

comprehensive injury and illness prevention program can substantially reduce the

number and severity of workplace accidents, which can help transform workplace

culture, lead to higher productivity, quality, and reduced turnover.

Although State of Florida agencies and universities are not regulated by OSHA, it is

important for safety coordinators to stay up to date on safety initiatives taking place at

the national and federal level. So, are you following the latest developments regarding

I2P2? OSHA’s fall regulatory agenda places the standard in the ―long-term‖ action

category. Rules in this category remain in development, but OSHA does not anticipate

any regulatory action within 12 months of the agenda’s publication date.

You can view OSHA’s entire semi-annual regulatory agenda at:

http://1.usa.gov/1l8BtUH.

References:

1. Liberty Mutual Insurance. Workplace Safety index 2013.

2. National Safety Council Injury facts, 2013 Edition.

3. OSHA Safety and Health add value (OSHA Publication 3180).

S E P T E M B E R – O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4

“When you reach

the end of your

rope, tie a knot in

it and hang on.”

~Thomas Jefferson

http://1.usa.gov/1l8BtUH

http://blog.kpaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/seven-parts1.jpg

P A G E 4





P A G E 4


What is the secret to creating a nationally recognized award-winning university

laboratory safety training program? There is no secret answer to success; however, for

the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

Department, receiving a national award for its laboratory safety training program was a

great honor that required a lot of hard work.

In the July/August 2014 issue of the Safety

and Loss Prevention Outlook newsletter, we

shared that UCF received the “Solutions at

Work” award presented by the Campus

Safety Health and Environmental

Association (CSHEMA) for its innovative

practices in the area of laboratory safety

training. The purpose of the ―Solutions at

Work” award is to encourage institutions to

share ideas that help to solve or improve

specific safety problems at colleges and

universities. In this article, we take a closer

look at how UCF won the “Solutions at

Work” award.

The laboratory safety training program at UCF is a comprehensive program that

includes consultations and inspections as well as both online and hands-on training—

all of which are designed to promote a culture of health and safety. In 2013, the

program underwent major improvements by tripling its training hours for researchers

through online courses. The online Laboratory Safety Orientation course includes ten

modules on topics such as chemical safety, storing chemicals, personal protective

equipment, fire safety, and laboratory waste disposal, just to name a few. Each module

contains a training video, knowledge test, and a variety of supplemental information

about the topic, and the registration process is done from the UCF website—making for

a seamless process. The online portion of the training program cost $20,000 to develop,

but the online component more than makes up for the staff time spent by eliminating

the need for multiple lecture-based training sessions and allowing around-the-clock

training opportunities.

UCF was also able to identify through its program enhancements a 70-percent

reduction in safety violations from 2012 through 2014, and during the same time

period, it achieved a significant reduction in laboratory accidents. Mr. Thomas Briggs,

Director of Environmental Health and Safety at UCF, says that one of the things that

really makes the UCF laboratory safety training program stand out is the practical

application. ―The practical demonstration of skills is the key standout component of our

lab safety training program,‖ said Mr. Briggs. ― Researchers already understand what

can and cannot be done in a laboratory, but graduate and undergraduate students may

not.‖

Mr. Briggs said that UCF decided to apply for the award because its EHS department

had never won a national award for any of its programs, and he added that UCF safety

programs are just as robust and professional as any that exist in similar institutions

across the country. Mr. Briggs stated that the spirit of the “Solutions at Work” award is

to share ideas and that it is incumbent upon safety professionals to share their

knowledge at the national level in order to improve the profession.


Continued on next page

P A G E 5





“You only have to do

a very few things

right in your life, so

long as you don’t do

too many things

wrong.”

~Warren Buffett

P A G E 5


The “Solutions at Work” award requires

applicants to address the six following

components as part of the application

process:

1. Defense of the reason for the

program

2. Total cost of implementation

3. Method of implementation

4. Cost Effectiveness

5. Program Scope

6. Applicability to other institutions

When asked what he would tell another university thinking about going for the

“Solutions at Work” award, Mr. Briggs said, ―Apply. We improve our profession

by sharing what works.‖ Mr. Briggs added that whether a university is able to win

an award or not is not the point, but that going through the process only makes a

safety program that much better.

The Occupational Safety and

Health Administration has

developed a new brochure that

addresses the prevention of

musculoskeletal disorders among

nursing home and residential care

workers. The brochure, titled ―Safe

Patient Handling— Preventing

Musculoskeletal Disorders in

Nursing Homes,” explains how

implementing a safe patient

handling program can reduce or

prevent the number and severity of

these musculoskeletal hazards.

A successful safe patient handling program includes a commitment to the

program by all levels of management, a program committee that involves

frontline workers, hazard assessment, selecting technology and equipment to

control hazards, and training workers on the elements of a safe patient handling

program.

For more information about safe patient handling or on ―The Safe Patient

Handling Program,‖ visit OSHA’s Healthcare webpage.


https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3708.pdf

https://www.osha.gov/

P A G E 6





P A G E 6


In this issue’s Safety Spotlight, the Division of Risk Management is pleased to

feature Division Director Julius Halas with the Department of Financial Services,

Division of Florida State Fire Marshal.

Director Halas is responsible for providing leadership to a team of 237 employees

within his Division, which consists of the bureaus of Fire and Arson Investigations,

Forensic Fire and Explosive Analysis, Fire Prevention, and Fire Standards and

Training. The Division’s mission is to reduce the loss of life and property due to

fires and other disasters through internal and external leadership; standards and

training; prevention and education, and fire and arson investigation.

When speaking about the importance of Fire Prevention Week 2014, Director Halas

stated, ―Fire prevention comes from the top down, and it is extremely important we

all proactively work together to protect our homes and businesses.‖

This year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week, which takes place October 5-11, 2014,

is ―Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test yours Every Month.‖ As a way to

encourage fire prevention education, Director Halas suggests all agency and

university safety coordinators promote fire prevention at their agencies during fire

prevention week and year round. Since 1970, when smoke alarms first became a fire

code requirement, there has been a 66-percent reduction in fire-related fatalities.

Director Halas, who has over 40 years of experience as a firefighter and paramedic,

says it is also important to take time out during fire prevention week to remember

fallen firefighters. ―Each year, we hold a fallen firefighter memorial service to honor

those firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty,‖ said Director Halas.

Director Halas is a graduate of the State College of Florida, where he earned his

Associate of Arts degree in Fire Science Technology, and he holds a Bachelor’s

degree in Business Administration with a concentration in management from

National Louis University. He also maintains an active paramedic certification, and

he believes in the importance of education and leading by example when it comes to

pursuing educational goals. He is an active member of the National Association of

State Fire Marshals, National Fire Protection Association, Joint Council of Fire

Service Organization, and past president of the Florida Fire Chief Association.

In his spare time, Director Halas enjoys playing golf and riding his Harley Davidson

motorcycle.


P A G E 7

P A G E 7



P A G E 8





“Even if you are on

the right track, you

will get run over if

you just sit there.”

~Will Rogers

P A G E 8

While most safety professionals understand the many aspects of environmental

health and safety, few are equally comfortable with the concept of six sigma as an

organizational philosophy, problem-solving methodology, and breakthrough

strategy used to achieve continuous process improvement.

What is six sigma? Six sigma is a statistical measurement for process improvement

that has been used for over 20 years, primarily in the areas of business and

manufacturing to identify the dispersion of observations around the average or

mean of a process. At its core, the goal of six sigma is to measure and eliminate

defects in manufacturing and development; however, six sigma, with its successful

impact in business and industry, also has tremendous potential for helping

occupational safety and health professionals in reducing accident rates and health

hazards.

In terms of safety and loss prevention,

sigma values can indicate how often

(frequency) accidents or health

hazards are likely to occur. Six sigma

is also used as a performance metric

to indicate how well a specific

process is performing. For example,

the higher the sigma value, the better

the process performance. In addition,

sigma measures process capability to

produce accident-free or zero-

accident and health-hazard-free

workplaces.

Those that are most involved in the technical leadership of a six sigma initiative

are known as black belts. Black belts, depending on their training, may lead major

process improvement initiatives that are expected to yield exceptional results

measured in terms of reduced accidents, workers’ compensation rates, and health

hazard exposure.

According to the article Six Sigma Problem-Solving Techniques Create Safer,

Healthier Worksites by Jack B. ReVelle, educational institutions such as Texas

A&M University have recognized the value of applying six sigma to achieving the

Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Process Safety Management

Standard (PSM) and have documented the findings in a 16-page document that

thoroughly describes the important relationship between PSM and six sigma.

Based on results from Texas A&M University and other companies, applying six

sigma within an environmental health and safety function can lead to fewer

accidents and health hazards—both inside and outside an organization—but it

takes commitment to the six sigma philosophy. As a safety professional committed

to professional and personal growth, decide today to learn more about six sigma

and how it can transform your safety program.



http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/pastissues/049/10/031004as.pdf

http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/pastissues/049/10/031004as.pdf

P A G E 9





P A G E 9

Employee Wellness: Making

Smart Choices

October is the perfect time to make

an extra effort to incorporate healthy

eating choices into your workday.

Making slight adjustments or trying

a few different techniques may help

you feel better throughout the day

and give you more energy. The

following are a few tips to help you

get started.

Ways to get active at work:

Park further away from the front door in the parking lot.

Take the stairs instead of using the elevator.

Have walking or standing meetings.

Get up away from your desk to ask someone a question rather than calling

or using email.

Take frequent, short breaks to stretch and get your blood flowing.

Take a walk on your break or climb the stairs a few times.

During meetings that last longer than an hour, make a point of getting

everyone up and stretching for a few minutes.

Healthy food choices for work:

Don’t skip breakfast – grab something quick like a piece of fruit if you don’t

have much time.

Make a habit of bringing your lunch rather than eating lunch out often.

Bring a refillable water bottle to work and make a point of finishing a

couple bottles each day.

If organizing snacks for a meeting, choose healthier options like fruit over

donuts.

Have healthy snack options available in your workspace, such as a handful

of nuts or seeds, instead of going for a candy bar in the vending machine.

During your coffee breaks, use skim milk

instead of creamer or whole milk.

If eating out at lunch, choose meals that are

steamed, grilled, or broiled and smaller portions

sizes—if you have a large meal, bring half home

for dinner.



“It had long since

come to my

attention that people

of accomplishment

rarely sat back and

let things happen to

them. They went out

and happened to

things. ”

~Leonardo da Vinci





P A G E 1 0

If this document appears distorted, double-click to enlarge in PDF format.


P A G E 1 1





P A G E 1 1


By Cheryl Gulasa, RN, CPHM, CCM Vice President, AmeriSys

In October 2013, AmeriSys was awarded the contract for handling the workers’

compensation medical case management for the state of Florida. In this three-part article

series, Cheryl Gulasa, a registered nurse with AmeriSys, discusses the accomplishments

AmeriSys has made over the last ten months.

Since the implementation of our program on January 1st, 2014, AmeriSys has put multiple

programs in place to ensure the state of Florida employees receive quality care when they

are injured at work.

Our Intake and Triage Unit operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per

year. This is to ensure there is timely and accurate reporting of injuries and appropriate

care is provided immediately to the injured employee. Registered nurses (RNs) are always

available to assess each injured employee’s situation and provide prompt direction to

care. Once we ensure the employee has been directed to the best care, it is the job of the

Intake and Triage Unit to provide notification of the injury and the employee’s condition

to the appropriate parties.

AmeriSys telephonic case-managers (TCMs) are RNs who are familiar with the unique

needs of the injured employees of the state of

Florida. They are also very familiar with the

statutes and rules that govern the workers’

compensation system for Florida.

A TCM is assigned to each injured employee to

ensure quality care is received; education

regarding the injury or treatment is provided,

facilitating that injured employee’s return to

work as soon as it is safe for them to do so. The

TCM references the latest in evidenced-based

medical guidelines regarding treatments being

provided, ensuring that only appropriate quality

care is delivered. The TCM stands ready to

conference with the treating medical provider to

address any specific needs with which the

injured employee presents.

While many of the injuries that are presented to AmeriSys RNs are orthopedic in nature,

some injury types require specialized treatment and specialized case management

services. Our state employees who are covered by the Heart and Lung Bill have very

unique cardiac and exposure needs that must be addressed, and many times in an

emergency situation.

In addition, AmeriSys has implemented the Presumption Case Management Team for the

state of Florida. These nurse case-managers have a clinical background in the area of

cardiology. The AmeriSys medical management program developed for these employees

is called the B.A.D.G.E. (Better Administration, Dedication, Guaranteeing Excellence)

program. This program utilizes physician advisors, as well as case-review meetings, to

keep the case-managers current in the constantly changing area of cardiology and the

related specialties. We work very closely with the state of Florida pharmacy provider to

ensure the appropriate medications are made available to the injured employees covered

by the Heart and Lung Bill.


“Mistakes are

always forgivable,

if one has the

courage to admit

them.”

~Bruce Lee

P A G E 1 2





P A G E 1 2


“Do not go where

the path may lead,

go instead where

there is no path

and leave a trail.”

~Ralph Waldo

Emerson

A number of our state employees run the risk of exposure to toxic substances. Whether it is

human bodily fluids or chemicals, a network of medical providers to assist in these situations

has been developed and is in place to expedite care to the injured employee—again, ensuring

the providers adhere to the latest in medical and Center for Disease Control guidelines.

Many injuries have consequential pain issues.

AmeriSys has also implemented a program to

meet the needs of the employees who are

having issues with pain. We have consulted

physicians of excellence in designing this

program and its protocols. This program is called S.E.C.U.R.E. (Services for the Effective

Control and Utilization of Rx through Evidence-based Criteria). TCMs again have received

specialized training in the area of pain management and act as ―SECURE advisors‖ to the

medical management team. Once again, collaborative efforts are made to adhere to the latest

in the treatment protocols with the state of Florida pharmacy provider.

AmeriSys’ goals for outcomes for the state of Florida program are to deliver the highest

quality of care in the most efficient manner and return the state’s employees safely to work.

We recognize that some employees will have concerns over their care. A well-established

vetting system for those concerns is in place and each concern is addressed.

Our commitment to quality is evident in that AmeriSys has exceeded the benchmarks in

place each month since the inception of our program. We remain ever vigilant to maintain

our standard for excellence and we will continue to explore opportunities to improve the

quality of healthcare delivered to the state of Florida employees when they become injured

while at work.

In Part 2 of this three-part series, Cheryl Gulasa will discuss the challenges AmeriSys has

faced since the implementation of its program on January 1, 2014.

Claim Reporting (as of 01/01/2014)

(for state of Florida employees)

Report all claims to AmeriSys

at 1-800-455-2079


Unit 1

Permanent &

Total Unit

Mickey Lowers

(850) 413-4824

Click to E-mail

Unit 2

Universities &

Other Unit

Sam Walker

(850) 413-4808

Click to E-mail

Unit 3

Presumption

Unit

Billie Bacon

(850) 413-4804

Click to E-mail

ACROSS

1. SAFETY

4. HEAT

9. FLAME

10. PREVENTION

12. CHIMNEY

13. EMS

14. WATER

15. SMOKE

DOWN

2. EXTINGUISHER

3. FOREST

5. ESCAPE

6. EVACUATE

7. PROPANE

8. FIRE

11. ALARM




P A G E 1 3

P A G E 1 3







Safety & Loss Prevention

Outlook Team:

Deidra Jones, CPM, PMP Managing Editor/Writer

Christia Nunnery Editor

Melanie Cowgill Design and Layout

Leah McPherson Writer

To provide feedback, share future

article ideas, or to add contacts to

our distribution list, please use the

links below:

Feedback

Article Ideas

Distribution List

R. J. Castellanos, ARM, JD Division Director

Molly Merry, CPA Assistant Director

Shannon Segers, ARM-P Bureau Chief, Bureau of Risk Financing & Loss Prevention

Christia Nunnery Administrator, Loss Prevention

Office of the Director (850) 413-4700

State of Florida Loss Prevention Program (850) 413-4756

Bureau of State Liability & Property

Claims (850) 413-3122

Bureau of State Employee Workers’

Compensation Claims (850) 413-3123

State Liability Claim Change Form (850) 413-4852

Safety Coordinator Appointment Form (850) 413-4756

Workers’ Compensation Claim Change Form (850) 413-4802

REFERENCES

National Fire Protection Association (n.d.) nfpa.org,

National Fire Protection Week: Referenced 2014

from: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-

prevention-week

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (n.d.)

osha.gov: Injury and Illness Prevention Programs:

Referenced 2014 from: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/

topics/safetyhealth/index.html

University of Central Florida E H & S (n.d.)

ehs.ucf.edu Referenced 2014 from: http://

www.ehs.ucf.edu/home.html

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (n.d.)

osha.gov: Protect Healthcare Workers from MSD

Injuries from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/

OSHA3708.pdf

American Society of Safety Engineers (n.d.)

asse.org: Six Sigma Problem-solving techniques

create safer, healthier worksites: Referenced 2014

from: http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/

pastissues/049/10/031004as.pdf

National Safety Council (n.d.) nsc.org: Employee

Wellness: Making Smart Choices: Referenced 2014

from: http://www.nsc.org/members_get_more/

Documents/E-Newsletter%

20Content/83719_MEM_2012%20facts_Wellness.pdf

South Pend Orielle Fire & Rescue (n.d.) spofr.org:

Fire Prevention & Safety Crossword: Referenced

2014 from: http://www.spofr.org/public-education/

crossword/pdf/fire-prevention-

safety_ff_crossword.pdf

The Safety Outlook Newsletter is for

informational purposes only. The Department

of Financial Services does not endorse or

support any websites, products, brands, or

services referenced herein.

P A G E 1 4 S E P T E M B E R – O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4

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