Department of Natural Resources Policy -
Risk Management
Policy Number: 95:02
Effective Date:     February 1, 1995(Reviewed: May 2003)
See signed policy - Adobe Acrobat file
I. Purpose
To provide and maintain a safe, healthy and productive work environment by implementing formal and effective accident prevention and loss control programs designed to:

A. Eliminate or reduce occupational injuries and illnesses

B. Reduce the financial burden associated with such injuries and illnesses.

C. Provide assurance that issues related to the health and safety of DNR’s employees are dealt with in a prompt and effective manner.

II. Scope (DEPARTMENT WIDE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

III. Policy
In accordance with Executive Order 01.01.2002.01 State Employees Risk Management Administration (SERMA) the Department has established a Risk Management Program. The program is charged with the responsibility of providing a safe, healthy and productive work environment for the employees of the Department.

To administer the program a Risk Management Committee (RMC) has been created. The Committee is chaired by the Department’s Risk Management Coordinator with representatives from each unit serving as committee members. To support and complement the Risk Management Committee, Health and Safety Committees have been created within each Unit.

It is the department employees’ responsibility to comply with the policies, rules and regulations established; and, to assist the committees in identifying and eliminating potential health and safety hazards and risks, for their own benefit and that of their fellow employees.

IV. Procedure
A. The Injured Workers Insurance Fund (IWIF) identified several basic elements essential for any accident prevention and loss control     program. These basic elements have been incorporated in DNR’s Risk Management Manual” on file with the Department’s Human     Resource Services, and constitute the basis of DNR’s program.

B. Generally, the basic elements require:

  1. Regular health and safety inspections of facilities and equipment;

  2. Employee health and safety training sessions;

  3. Investigation, documentation and reporting of all accidents and near misses;

  4. Health and Safety Committee review and retention of all accident investigation records, including near misses;

  5. Hazardous material personal protection equipment and training;

  6. Supervisor assistance in obtaining:

    a) Prompt and effective medical aid in the event of immediate injury or illness; and

    b)Medical management for an employee recovering from an illness or injury.

  7. Emergency response procedures for emergency situations;

  8. Preventive maintenance programs for facilities and equipment;

  9. Safety promotional information, training and recognition;

  10. Preventive fire, health and safety procedures;

  11. SERMA approved Risk Management Program evaluation;

  12. Annual joint Risk Management Committee/SERMA review of issues and resolutions; and

  13. Current Risk Management policies and procedures.

    *Reference to the Employees Assistance Program was deleted

    Posted February 3, 2004