1. National Volunteer Caregiving Network
Managing Volunteers’ Accident and
Liability Risks
February 29, 2012
National Volunteer Caregiving Network

2. What we’ll learn
How to recognize common risks arising out of volunteer involvement
How to identify risks specific to the organization
How to develop practical ways to minimize risk, and respond when incidents occur
How to implement a risk management system that allows everyone in the organization to know what to do, and not have to improvise

3. A risk management system…
Protects the organization’s own insurance limits, claims experience, client relations, staff and volunteer relations, and public reputation. Safe operation supports the mission.
Helps attract and retain the best volunteers by demonstrating commitment to safe operation. Volunteers know they have risks.

4. Volunteers have many options
Volunteermatch
UniversalGiving
Sparked
Onebrick
And many others

5. Immunity laws’ protection is limited
1997 federal law does not protect volunteers against charges of “gross negligence” or civil rights violations, or for vehicle-related liability.
State laws have similar limitations.
Even when lawsuits are frivolous, volunteers must pay for legal defense, which can be very expensive.

6. Most common risks Injuries to the volunteer
Liability (injuring someone or damaging their property)
Automobile liability
Dishonesty

7. Common accidents can be expensive
Tripped over client’s oxygen-supply cord – fractured wrist, eye damage, head injury -- $18,659
Retrieving boxes from shelf – knee ligament and tendon damage -- $19,316
Fall on steps – Broken hip -- $21,087
Laceration of the leg, using power saw -- $19,042
Moving trash – torn bicep -- $25,000
Helping erect light pole – crushed hand -- $19,222

8. Resource: fall prevention
MetLife Mature Market Institute
“The Essentials: Falls and Fall Prevention”

9. Most common risks Injuries to the volunteer
Liability (injuring someone or damaging their property)
Automobile liability
Dishonesty

10. Resource: “Preventer Papers”
One-page and two-page documents on how to prevent common injuries, and vehicle accidents
National Volunteer Caregiving Network members can obtain these from the Network Website
Nonmembers – Contact William Henry at CIMA Volunteers Insurance Service for table of contents – , or We will you the papers you select.

11. Most common risks Injuries to the volunteer
Liability (injuring someone or damaging their property)
Automobile liability
Dishonesty

12. Resource: Vehicle safety and older drivers
Hartford Insurance “Life Ahead” series

13. The risk management process
Identify risks
Evaluate in terms of frequency and severity
Reduce or eliminate the most serious risks
Transfer the remainder to insurance companies
Maintain a culture of risk awareness

14. Risk management of the position
What are we asking volunteers to do?
Analyze tasks, and work environment, for risk scenarios
What can we do to eliminate or reduce hazards?

15. Start with this question…
“What could possibly go wrong?”
Dig deep, for answers.
Deeper!

16. Risk management of the position
What are we asking volunteers to do?
Analyze tasks, and work environment, for risk scenarios…Grade A, B, C or D for severity and frequency.
What can we do to eliminate or reduce hazards?

17. Risk management of the volunteer
Selection
Orientation
Training
Volunteer and supervisor responsibilities
Accountability

18. Resource: “The New Breed”
“The New Breed,” by Tom McKee and Jonathan McKee
Describes how to empower volunteers to use their talents, while you still maintain control of their work

19. Risk management of the volunteer
Selection
Orientation
Training
Volunteer and supervisor responsibilities
Accountability

20. When incidents happen Reporting responsibilities
The importance of timely action

21. The insurance piece Insurance protecting the organization
Insurance protecting volunteers

22. More resources: handouts for today’s Webinar
Questions to help you determine where you are now, in managing volunteer risks
Description of the most common incidents
Guidance on selection, orientation, training and accountability of volunteers
Sample risk management policy
Sample agreement for volunteers driving their personal vehicles
Safeguards to prevent dishonest acts
“Preventer Papers” on injury prevention, vehicle safety

23. William Henry