Risk Management

The department of Risk Management serves both the Chesterfield County government and public schools. Its mission is to develop and manage a risk profile that best suits Chesterfield County's Vision and Mission. We ascertain the county government's attitude toward risk and reduce the long-run cost of risk while maximizing the probability of long-run benefits. Government's exposure to loss or gain ("RISK") is politically, legally, and socially unique.

Chesterfield County is devoted to the highest quality of life.

The County Vision states: "Risks can be taken."

If the risk promotes quality of life we will encourage it. We prepare for the cost of potential loss as those risks are exercised. Our attitude towards quality of life risks calls for: planning, preparation, training and drilling.

Common risk management techniques include:

• Avoid: Redesign the process to avoid particular risks with the plan of reducing overall risk.
• Diversify: Spread the risk among numerous assets or processes to reduce the overall risk of loss or impairment.
• Control: Design activities to prevent, detect or contain adverse events or to promote positive outcomes.
• Share: Distribute a portion of the risk through a contract with another party, such as insurance.
• Transfer: Distribute all of the risk through a contract with another party, such as outsourcing.
• Accept: Allow minor risks to exist to avoid spending more on managing the risks than the potential harm.

Safety and Loss Prevention

Chesterfield University, with guidance from the Risk Management Department, will provide safety and loss prevention training. Audits will be conducted by Risk Management for county government and public school departments.

Safety means compliance with the regulations of the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Act. In a Total Quality environment, continuous improvement is required.

Loss Prevention means affirmative acts to reduce the probability of an accident or loss.

The primary responsibility for safety and loss prevention lies with the employee and their supervisors. Chesterfield University can provide additional training on an as needed basis when the skills of supervisors are not adequate to provide training to their employees. Training can be scheduled through the Chesterfield University county intranet web site.

Audits of work sites will take place on planned, announced and unannounced, basis to assess the quality of safety and loss prevention at Chesterfield County and public schools.

On-the-Job Injuries

Employees are directed to report on-the-job injuries immediately to their supervisor.

Forms required to be sent to Risk Management are:

• Employer's First Report of Accident
• Workers' Compensation Panel of Physicians

Other Accidents

If a county or school vehicle is involved, policy requires that the local police be called to the scene of the accident. The employers' supervisor has the primary responsibility to investigate the accident. A Loss Report form shall be sent to Risk Management immediately.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

In addition to testing all commercial drivers employed by the county and public schools, all employees in safety sensitive positions are in drug and alcohol testing programs. Questions regarding the testing programs can be directed to Human Resource Management (804) 748-1551.

Goals

1. To have the safest and most secure schools, workplace, and parks in the USA.
2. To be a unifying leader for regional risk management.
3. Deliver quality claim administration services efficiently.
4. Focus on continuous employee development and innovation.