Early each year, the City of Aiken has a safety retreat to review the current status of its safety and risk management program.
Aiken’s safety committee invites loss control staff from the Municipal Association’s Risk Management Services to review the SC Municipal Insurance Trust’s and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund’s annual review of the previous year. This review includes an analysis of trends and suggestions to address identified problem areas. In addition to the safety committee, the city encourages all department heads to attend this portion of the retreat.
After the claims review, the safety committee receives reports from the subcommittees, which include accident reviews, inspections and monthly safety topics. The committee also reviews any safety goals that the city has set and adjusts them accordingly.
The safety committee brings in outside speakers and facilitators when they’re able to find someone who offers expertise that is relevant to safety. This year, the outside presenter was Mike Duncan of Duncan Leadership and Safety Services.
“Mr. Duncan has certainly fit that bill, and we will plan to continue to use him going forward!” said Al Cothran, Aiken’s risk manager.
The retreat aims to take a close look at the city’s safety experience during recent years to identify opportunities for improvement in its safety and risk management program.