Members insured with SDIS can access the below on-site risk management classes at no cost. If a topic you’re interested in is not listed, SDAO will try to tailor a workshop to fit the specific need. 

For more information or to schedule, please email SDAO Risk Management or call toll-free at 800-285-5461. 
 

Employment Practices/Supervisory
 

A Supervisor’s Role in Preventing Injuries

Studies indicate that a company’s - in particular, a supervisor's - response to a workplace injury is an important influence on the quality and speed of the worker’s recovery and the success or failure of the stay at work or return to work outcome. A supervisor’s response may be the single most important influence on whether a worker reintegrates successfully into the workplace following a workplace injury.

This training is designed to support districts in (a) helping their injured workers stay at work, performing regular or modified duties, or returning to safe and meaningful work as soon as possible; and (b) understanding and controlling costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses.
 

Generational Diversity in the Workplace

Human resources managers are increasingly grappling with generational differences in their work forces. Issues can arise from the differing philosophies and communication styles of workers hailing from different eras. These frictions may be aggravated by the advent of new technology and fluid work patterns that blend workers of different ages together in ever-changing teams. This training will feature best practices for effectively managing and utilizing the differences in values and expectations of each generation.  
 

Changing Culture Through Leadership

Changing your workplace culture is one of the hardest tasks you'll ever have to do. Human nature instinctively rejects change of any sort, even if the change will be beneficial in the long run. Fear and anxiety arise as people wonder: Will I have as much power under the new rules? Do I have job security? Will the new way be better or will it lead to a whole new source of frustration?  The ability of leaders—at all levels—to overcome these doubts and spark innovation, collaboration, growth and improvement is often the most decisive factor in an organization’s ability to adapt and thrive. This training will help leaders to effectively target and drive cultural change while also building their own flexibility and capacity to define and meet operational goals and achieve new visions.
 

Aging Workforce

According to a Government Accountability Office report, one-fifth of the nation’s workforce is over age 55. The baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age, but they are not retiring – at least not at the same rate as their parents. Is your district ready? This training session will prepare you for this significant impact on the age of our workforce.
 

Taking your Temperature – Is Culture Important?

How does the culture of your district impact the overall safety, health and welfare of your employees? Every district and safety officer would prefer that their employees be inspired to make safe choices, practice safe behaviors on the job and actively participate in workplace health and safety activities. Unfortunately, many districts struggle to achieve this laudable goal.  While a commitment to workplace safety best originates from within the individual staff member, districts can craft and sustain a culture which encourages such a commitment. System interventions are a great way to understand and mitigate exposures. This training will provide districts with important tools and ideas for evaluating and improving their culture and identifying personal, team, organization and equipment risk factors.  
 

Liability

When a visitor enters your district, they have a reasonable expectation of not getting injured. This means that the district is responsible for maintaining a relatively safe environment. This is known as “premises liability”. For example, a courier delivering a package may sue you for injuries if he/she slips and falls on a banana peel in the driveway. However, if that same courier happened to be intoxicated or otherwise acted in an unsafe manner, then he/she may not have a valid claim. In such cases, the court will focus on the status of the injured visitor, the condition of the property and/or the specific activities involved. This training will help participants to better understand the risks involved with premises liability and how best to mitigate or eliminate them.

Motivating Safe Behavior

How effective are your safety programs?  Every district safety officer would like their employees to be more engaged and motivated to make safe choices, practice safe behaviors on the job, and to participate willingly in workplace health and safety activities. Unfortunately, many workplaces struggle to achieve this laudable goal.  While a commitment to workplace safety best originates from within the individual staff member, districts can craft and sustain a culture which encourages such a commitment. System interventions are a great way to understand and mitigate exposures. This training will provide you with safety theories and help you to identify personal, team, organization and equipment risk factors.
  

Reputation Management

As a district leader, you undoubtedly juggle multiple competing priorities on a daily basis.  In the increasingly digital age we now live in, reputation management needs to be one of those priorities. There is not much left that cannot be easily discovered online through a simple Google search. Managing your district’s profile needs to be a concerted team effort. As a manager, you can’t accomplish this goal alone. You need your employees to recognize that they are an extension of the district and that their actions, both positive and negative, reflect on the district’s reputation. This holds true whether they are in the office, in the field, on the phone or online. This course will discuss the various aspects of reputation management and how best to burnish your brand.

Risk Management in Tough Economic Times

Risk management is a process for identifying, assessing, prioritizing and reducing or eliminating risk and its potentially negative impact on the district.  Risk management programs provide both the strategic basis and the operational framework for managing crises within districts.  Implementing such a plan may sometimes at first glance appear to be an extravagant policy for a financially-strapped district to consider. However, an effective risk management program will invariably pay long-term dividends for the district. This training will identify common sources of risk and share strategies for mitigating their negative impact.  Districts will learn how to develop and implement a successful risk management process.  

The Next Step

Have you ever attended a workshop or conference, picked up a new and exciting idea that you just know will revolutionize your district and then placed the 3-ring binder on a shelf in your workplace and watched it gather dust and cobwebs, never to be seriously thought of again?  These great innovations require time, energy and forethought to be successfully implemented.  Today, you will learn how to turn theory into practice that directly benefits your district rather than simply becoming another doorstop or bookend.  This will be an interactive class so be prepared to share ideas and professional experiences. 
 

Drones

Drones are a technological marvel of our modern age. They can document the aftermath of disasters without putting additional people at risk, and companies such as Amazon plan to use them for small package delivery in the not-too-distant future. However, the affordability and availability of drones are also prompting some serious legal, financial and practical considerations which districts are grappling with as the rapidly evolving technology grows ever more widespread. This training will briefly review the history of drone development, discuss the various functions drones are serving and review the rules and regulations governing their use.
 

Supervision in the Workplace

You’ve been promoted; congratulations! You are excited about starting your new job, vowing to be the best supervisor you could possibly be and never repeating the same mistakes that your previous “terrible” supervisors made. You are now on the road to future success at your district and you’ve got high hopes for the future. However, after a few weeks on the job, you end up thinking, “Why in the world did I ever say yes to this promotion? Things were so much easier with my old job.” This training can provide you with the tools you need to be an effective leader who motivates his/her staff while managing people, projects and deadlines before you begin to regret having gone over to the “Dark Side.”

Workplace Violence

Every year, 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence. In 2014, 409 people were fatally injured in work-related attacks, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's about 16% of the 4,821 workplace deaths which occurred that year. Before you can successfully forestall violence in the workplace, you must first be able to identify the signs of pending violent behavior. This training will discuss the four types of workplace violence and share effective prevention strategies for each classification. You will also learn to employ effective postvention techniques following a workplace violence incident.

Health and Safety
 

Accident Injury Reporting

Obtaining the appropriate information for describing an accident/incident injury or scene can be crucial in the event that a claim gets filed. Many times, accident claims are denied in court due to a lack of evidence or information available to prove injury or damage. Photos, measurements, and accurate descriptions of the accident/incident are an absolute necessity. The Loss Control Department at Special Districts Association of Oregon can teach your district to obtain the proper information needed to file a comprehensive accident/incident report. They will also train you on the necessary forms required for use in all types of accidents/incidents.
 

Accident Investigation

“Help me, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!!” Eventually, despite the best laid plans for prevention, an accident will occur at your district. When this happens, a proper investigation must be conducted, but do you know what that entails? This accident investigation training will help to prepare you, should you ever need to complete an accident investigation. The training will also help you to understand the immediate actions necessary to minimize personal injuries, damage to property, and/or required OR-OSHA reporting. Finally, it will provide you with effective techniques for obtaining important accident information, focusing on the facts and analyzing data down to the root cause. Participants will conduct a sample accident investigation to reinforce what they have learned.
 

Aerial Lift Safety Training

How many district employees does it take to change a light bulb? The completion of this task may require the safe and competent use of an aerial lift. This training covers common aerial lift accidents, discusses the hazards associated with aerial lifts, and the necessary rules for their safe and effective use. The hands-on portion of this training will ask participants to demonstrate their actual aerial lift operation skills.
 

Athletic Liability

“You’re out!” Thousands of students are involved in athletics every year. This training is designed to educate athletic directors and coaches on the liabilities that exist in sports and the common causes of many athletic injuries. Participants will learn about general sports safety and best practices for each season and type of sport. We will also discuss how to prevent injuries by establishing proper expectations.
 

Concussions

“How many fingers am I holding up?” This training will focus on the importance of proper concussion recognition and management in athletics. The course highlights the impact of sports-related concussions on athletes, teaches participants how to recognize a suspected concussion, and provides protocols for managing a suspected concussion incident with steps designed to help ensure that athletes safely return to play after a concussion.  

Back Injury Prevention

“I can lift that!” Back injuries are the most common type of workplace injury. This training is designed to educate the participant in identifying risk factors that increase the probability of back injuries. We will focus on safe lifting techniques and modifications and other strategies designed to help reduce the risk of back injuries. In addition, we will discuss simple ways to stretch and warm up before working.
 

Working Smarter Not Harder

This training will teach you strategies and best practices for mitigating the risk of workplace injuries. We will investigate the primary risk factors and discuss the most common types of injuries. We will also examine various approaches, such as ergonomic modifications, while focusing on preventing lifting, pushing and pulling type injuries. Finally, we will share examples of success stories our members have experienced that resulted in reducing the risk of injury.
 

Bloodborne Pathogen

“Don’t touch that!” For any workers who may have a reasonable exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBP), this course is a must. The training is designed to help participants understand the serious risks and the three major viruses associated with BBP. We will discuss the various types of body fluids which may contain BBP and general guidelines for universal precautions. The course will cover methods to properly clean BBP, the steps to be taken if an employee encounters BBP and important follow-up procedures.
 

Confined Space

Site and equipment-specific training is necessary prior to allowing district staff members or vendors to enter confined spaces. This training is designed to inform participants about the requirements for developing a comprehensive written confined space program and teach them the proper techniques for entering permit-required confined spaces. Participants will learn what constitutes a confined space and which specific conditions render the space a permit space. The course will cover the roles of personnel and the requisite documentation involved in confined space entry and discuss rescue plans should the entry go awry.
 

Introduction to Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the workplace to the user instead of forcing the user to fit the workplace. It looks at what kind of work is being done, what tools are being used and the entire job environment. No matter what the job is, the goal is to make sure that staff members are safe, comfortable, and less prone to work-related injuries. Ergonomic strategies may include equipment design, task design, or environmental design. This training will focus on the common risk factors found in districts and methods for implementing a proactive ergonomic process designed to best mitigate injuries. 
 

Ergonomics Train-the-Trainer

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the workplace to the user instead of forcing the user to fit the workplace. It looks at what kind of work is being done, what tools are being used and the entire job environment. No matter what the job is, the goal is to make sure that staff members are safe, comfortable, and less prone to work-related injuries. This course will be taught in a train-the-trainer format and is limited to a maximum enrollment of 12 students. Its primary purpose is to instruct participants how best to conduct an effective ergonomic evaluation in the workplace. The class will be hands-on so come prepared to roll up your sleeves and play an active role.
 

Fall Protection

The fall protection training will focus on the cornerstones of a complete fall protection program: When fall protection must be used, Planning for when a fall hazard is present, A variety of fall protection equipment, Different methods of fall protection, Calculating fall distances, and Planning for rescues. We will also discuss how fall protection relates to aerial lifts, and the inspection and care of fall protection equipment. We encourage the host district to have all its equipment present at the time of the training as the district will be expected to train staff on site-specific hazards.
 

Fire Extinguisher, Train-the-Trainer

This training will begin with a brief but informative classroom presentation on the dangers of fighting fires, the correct use and limitations of fire extinguishers and the proper steps to take prior to their use. The classroom portion of the training will be followed by live-fire training. The live-fire training will be completed by using a fire extinguisher prop in a safe and controlled environment. This portion of the class will require an open space with both water and an electrical source available. For larger districts, which may prefer to train staff over multiple days, we can deliver the prop and train district staff to complete the presentation at a more convenient later date.
 

First Aid/CPR

Sudden cardiac arrest is unpredictable and can happen without warning. Each year, approximately 330,000 Americans die from coronary heart disease. Bystander CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can significantly increase the chances of surviving sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). When SCA strikes, be ready to act quickly to give the patient the best chance of survival. This training will teach participants how to safely and effectively administer CPR and operate an AED.
 

Forklift Safety

“Watch where you’re driving!”  This training is designed to educate participants on the OR-OSHA rules governing forklifts, the different types, features and physics of forklifts, and what to watch for during inspections. We will discuss driving techniques, load handling and fueling, and review best practices for operating a forklift. Participants will be asked to navigate an obstacle course and demonstrate the safe and skillful operation of a forklift.
 

Hazard Communication

Every employee who works in an environment where chemicals are present must be informed of the chemical hazards associated with their workplace. An effective hazard communication program is essential for keeping your employees safe in the workplace.  It creates a healthy working environment for the employee and demonstrates the employer’s dedication and commitment to health and safety. This helps to keep injuries at a minimum and in turn, reduces workers’ compensation costs. This training will help districts to establish a viable hazard communication program and protect their workers from dangerous chemical hazards in the workplace.
 

Hazard Identification

Not all hazards are created equally. There are many types of hazards which you may not be immediately aware of.  In order to protect your employees and keep them safe in the workplace, you need to first identify the hazards present and take steps to mitigate them. Conducting routine walk-throughs of all your workstations is just one method of identifying those safety hazards. Learn how to locate these hazards and take effective steps to minimize or eliminate minimize them. 

Hearing Conversation

“It’s too loud in here. I can’t hear you!!” Employers and employees whose work environments may subject them to excessive noise should consider a Hearing Conservation Training. This training is designed to teach participants about the harmful effects of excessive noise on their employees’ hearing. It will also inform them about the many different forms of hearing protection available and how to properly use and store it. Participants will learn ways to reduce noise in the workplace through engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
 

Ladder Safety

“Look out below!” Injuries due to falls from ladders and other high places are one of the most prevalent workers’ compensation claims. These injuries can often be avoided with a basic knowledge of and attention to safety while using a ladder. This training will focus on quick, simple and effective steps your district can take to reduce the risk of falls from on high.
 

Lockout Tagout

Does your district use equipment such as loaders, graders or backhoes? How about power tools like table saws, lathes, or welders? Are there electrical sources for pumps, hydro plants or district shops? If you have any mechanical device onsite with the potential to permit transmission or release of some type of energy, then your district is required to have a lockout tag-out program in place. OR-OSHA 1910.147 requires the control of these hazardous energy releases. Learn how to train your employees to identify any devices that may have the potential to allow a hazardous energy release and be educated on safer options for the sources identified.
 

Personal Protective Equipment

Are your employees protected from the risk of injury at work? Personal protective equipment (PPE) is specialized clothing or equipment worn by employees for protection against health and safety hazards. PPE is designed to protect many parts of the human body, e.g. eyes, head, face, hands, feet, and ears.  Following this training, you will be able to assess your workplace to determine if and which PPE is needed.  We will also cover the importance of selecting and inspecting the proper type of PPE.
 

Playground Hazard ID

Does your playground have hazards and are your employees adept at spotting them? This training provides techniques for identifying general playground hazards; protrusion or entanglement hazards; head, neck, crush, or shear hazards; and the hazards presented by suspended playground equipment components. Upon completion of this training, you will be able to identify general playground hazards and understand the difference between a risk and a hazard.
 

Safety Committee

A safety committee is necessary to help recognize hazards at each work location and devise a strategy for preventing and minimizing accidents and injuries. Every district should have a safety committee in place and this training will show you how to form and support a strong and successful safety team. These committees address all aspects related to safety in the workplace – whether this means the operation of machinery, preventative measures, etc. Workplace safety committees meet regularly to ensure that employees are following proper protocol – helping keep work morale up by minimizing risks and preventing injuries. You will learn the rationale and requirements for having a safety committee, such as promoting safety and learning how to prevent incidents and accidents. You will also be trained on how to accurately identify workplace hazards and how to conduct effective accident investigations.
 

Effective Safety Committee

Never let possible safety issues overwhelm you. By organizing an effective safety committee, you can address hazards before they occur and ensure that the overall health of your employees remains your number one priority. These committees address all aspects related to safety in the workplace – including the operation of machinery, preventative measures, etc. Workplace safety committees meet regularly to ensure that employees are following proper protocol – helping keep work morale up by minimizing risks and preventing injuries. This training will help you to make certain your safety committee is effective, understands safety committee responsibilities and is familiar with OR-OSHA safety committee recommended best practices.
 

Slips-Trips-Falls

“Have a nice trip. See you next fall.” Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries. Effective solutions are often simple, inexpensive, and can lead to many other side benefits as well. This training will help you to achieve your injury prevention goals by showing you how fall accidents happen. You will also learn to identify common trouble areas and how to prevent or minimize the hazards associated with falling.
 

Respirator Safety

This training is designed to educate your district on the rules and regulations which should be included in your respirator safety program. The training will also cover respiratory hazards, selecting the right respirator for the job, fit testing requirements, and the proper use, storage and cleaning of the respirator. Your district will still need to train staff on the site-based hazards and actual respirators that the district uses.

Buildings and Property

Building Envelope

Your district’s buildings are the face of your entity to the world.  Keeping them operational and looking good is a full-time job!  Although we cannot prevent inclement weather from happening, we can take the steps necessary to ensure that buildings will safely withstand many of nature’s harsh elements.   This training will investigate effective means for protecting your building envelope against the elements of nature, provide information on the important areas of building maintenance, and offer tips on what to look for when conducting building inspections during the different seasons of the year.

Building Inspections

This introductory training is designed to educate districts on the importance of developing a regular building inspection process and how doing so can significantly reduce the incidence of property damage. The training will cover which areas of your buildings should be a priority for inspection and how to establish an appropriate inspection schedule. We will also share lessons learned from member districts which did not have a regular building inspection process in place.
 

Transportation
 

Drivers Training Program​

Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death and injury in the workplace and the myriad costs associated with a single accident can be astronomical. A defensive driver safety program can help to reduce risk and keep people safer on the road. This program will help your district to: Control liability costs associated with work-related vehicle crashes, Reduce insurance premiums and fleet repair bills, Reduce motor vehicle incident rates, Decrease workers' compensation claims, Improve productivity by keeping employees safe, on and off the job, and Protect your brand by improving public perception of your driving practices.

Defensive Driving Modules