A periodic newsletter of Fall/Winter 2007-08
The Diocese of Syracuse
Risk Management Office
WITH ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF!
As the colder weather begins to set in, our parishes and schools put down carpet runners in entrances and in aisles to help soak up the wetness that is tracked in. Carpet runners do help alleviate the problem of slippery floors and should be used wherever possible. However, we must also inspect these runners every day to make sure they are laying flat on the floor and are not “curling up” on the corners or edges. Curled up edges present a trip hazard. If they are curling up, they should be securely taped down. If tape is not effective, the carpet runner should be replaced. A number of our parishes and schools rent these runners from a service that replaces them on a regular basis. This rental process seems to be effective in providing safe carpets and floors. However, we are still primarily responsible for keeping our premises safe. Rented carpet runners should also be inspect by our custodians and other staff members regularly. We should immediately put the carpet runner service provider on notice of any runner that needs attention. A certificate of liability insurance should be secured from any carpet runner service company, with the parish, school and Diocese named as Additional Insureds on the certificate. A copy of the certificate should be forwarded to the Diocese Risk Management office.
The loaning out of any parish furniture or equipment, to outside entities, parishioners or businesses is strongly discouraged. This includes tables and chairs, maintenance equipment, cooking appliances, ladders and other tools. We are responsible for the maintenance and condition of these items. If someone is hurt while using our item, even though they are not on parish property, we could be held responsible if the item we loaned out contributed to or caused an injury. All of the items above should be well maintained, used only for what they were intended and kept on parish property. By doing this, we are making it safer for everyone.
SCHOOL SAFETY
We want to again remind everyone in these Newsletters that we must continue to keep our schools safe by making sure that any visitors must be identified, and sign in at the main school office. Any visitor must be accompanied by a member of the school staff if their visit calls for them to go to a classroom or any other part of the building. Exterior doors should be locked to anyone trying to get into the building, but they should be unlocked on the inside so that the ability to quickly exit the building exists, in case of emergency. Students should not be allowed outside the building at all, unless it is for a supervised outside activity.
As Winter comes upon us, we remind you that exterior walks, parking lots, and exterior parish and school grounds must be cleared of ice and snow to prevent slip and fall accidents and injuries to students, staff, parishioners and visitors. A daily log should be kept to record when ice melt material or sand is applied. We also recommend logging the times when snow shoveling or plowing was completed. Remember that snow and ice removal, and the logging of this activity, is also very important when the parish and school buildings or grounds are being used at night or on weekends. We also ask that roofs be checked for the accumulation of snow, and any excessive accumulation be removed before it can cause a collapse or otherwise fall onto persons on the ground below.
The Diocese of Syracuse continues to be committed to the protection of all children and young people. Ongoing training, thru VIRTUS, is a must for all diocesan employees, all volunteers who will have any contact with youth, and anyone else who uses our premises for any activity that involves youth. For more information on VIRTUS training go to the Diocese of Syracuse website or contact Donna Dwyer at the Diocese Safe Environment Office.
A reminder that the Diocese of Syracuse Risk Management office may be contacted via email. Our email addresses are shown below. We encourage you to use email for any questions or requests! Also, we are looking for your location’s email address—the email address you prefer to be used by Risk Management for any contact. See the enclosed email information form.
Barb Burgess: bburgess@syracusediocese.org
Jim Merrill: jmerrill@syracusediocese.org
Bill Doran: bdoran@syracusediocese.org