IRMA E-News-November 2022

November 2022

News & Events

www.irmarisk.org

IRMA Welcomes the Village of Channahon

The Channahon Village Board recently unanimously approved IRMA membership. The IRMA Board of Directors approved Channahon for IRMA membership in October. Located in Will and Grundy counties, the Village is 17 square miles, has a population of 13,383 and a staff of 86 employees and ranks 34 in size among IRMA’s 73 members. Based on the Village’s positive claim/loss history, it will join IRMA with an experience modifier credit of over 25%. Join us in welcoming this new member.

Executive Director Margo Ely presents at Metro Managers' November Luncheon

During this presentation, Margo provided an in-depth review of important legal opinions within the past year.

IRMA Award Honorable Mention:

Village of Morton Grove Police Department

In 2022, IRMA received the most IRMA Award Applications in recent years. It is our pleasure to highlight all Member programs as they all provide value in reducing municipal risk and increasing safety.

The Morton Grove Police Department's Heelers Program was developed in accordance with research in support of therapy dog programs to address mental and behavioral health of the police department. Services are provided to all sworn and non-sworn personnel and civilian staff of the Village. The program has offered significant benefits to employees in building department morale, increased mental and physical health and help with debriefing after critical incidents.

For more information about this program and other IRMA Award Applicants, click on the links below.

Heelers Therapy Dog Program

IRMA Award Homepage

Cybersecurity

News

How to Protect Your Computer and Network from Hackers

There are more than 390,000 new pieces of malware detected each day (source AV-TEST Institute). The sheer number of malicious programs gives hackers an ample opportunity to pick and choose their targets. Users often make the same common mistakes that are easily exploited.

The top mistakes users make and how to avoid keeping you and your network safe.

Read Full Article

Risk Management & Training

Respirators & Facial Hair

During the winter months, it isn't uncommon for employees to grow facial hair. However, this may impact the safety while performing tasks that require respirators. When facial hair comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and face or interferes with valve function it is in violation of the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) & (B). Therefore it cannot be allowed. Fore more information, see OSHA's Letter of Interpretation.

OSHA Letter of Interpretation

Snow Plow

Season Safety

Throughout the snow season, we encourage members to keep safety front of mind. IRMA offers several resources in our Self-Paced Training page to assist members with this goal.

Snow Plow Safety

IRMA hosted its first OSHA 10-hr on November 2 & 3 since the pandemic. Bill Crimmins (Titan Safety Management) taught the program to 15 registrants at the new IRMA Training Room. IRMA plans to offer this course twice in 2023. Schedule and training registration to come.

The Village of Carol Stream Public Works Department recently experienced an unplanned IL OSHA inspection. Director Phil Modaff noted "the information disseminated via IRMA from the other agencies that went [through] the same thing in the past couple of years put [Carol Stream PW] in a solid position to be prepared for this".

ILOSHA Inspection Resources

Claims Corner

Case against Police Officers Dismissed

A complaint filed by a Plaintiff against the Defendant Village and several of its police officers, arising out of the officers’ response to a call from a homeowner regarding a domestic incident and subsequent criminal prosecution by the DuPage County State’s Attorney, was recently dismissed with prejudice in its entirety in DuPage County.

Read Full Article

Defense Wins ADA Case

A Northern District of Illinois judge recently granted summary judgment for the defense in a case filed by a former police officer who alleged disability discrimination and retaliation in violation of the ADA and Illinois Human Rights Act.

Read Full Article

BLR - Employee Safety Newsletter - December 2022

EHS - Employee Newsletter - December 2022

The IRMA office will be closed on November 24 & 25

in observance of Thanksgiving.

Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency

999 Oakmont Plaza Drive, Suite 310

Westmont, IL 60559

(708) 562-0300