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NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2019Workers’CompNews for Public EmployersPUBLISHED BY PERMA, PUBLIC EMPLOYER RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.ANNUAL MEMBER CONFERENCE RECAPWHAT’S INSIDE2018 Annual ConferencePage 1Letter from thePERMA Board ChairPage 2Annual AwardsPage 4-5Upcoming EventsPage 6Risk Management UpdatePage 7Law Enforcement/Corrections AccidentsPage 8On May 23 and 24, over 325 PERMA members, brokers, staff, presenters and vendors gathered atthe Sagamore Hotel & Resort for the PERMA 2019 Annual Member Conference. Eight workshopsessions and two Keynote Speakers were hosted throughout the two day conference withhighlights including two roundtable discussions for Safety Council Members and updatesregarding the NYS Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Benefit Law. Ourhighest attended sessions were the Claims101 workshop led byPERMA Claims Management staff which reviewed best practices inclaims reporting, the importance of timely filing, and frequently askedquestions. Ed Moltzen, Suffolk County Director of Shared Services,hosted the second highly attended session of Communities WorkingTogether: the Shared Services Initiative which opened conversationson cost saving advantages, how to start this discussion at a local level,possible challenges and a variety of resources that arecurrently available.Both Keynote Speakers focused on technological advancementimportance throughout the industry. Thursday’s Keynote, LaurenIsaac, Director of Business Initiatives for EasyMile, examined theimpact of driverless vehicles. Attendees were able to see this emergingtrend and how local and regional governments should respond toautonomous vehicles in the short and long term. fter the conclusion of our Annual Member Meeting Friday, JonAEngstrom, Cybersecurity Expert, demonstrated the behaviors of anonline identity hacker and the impact of your online footprint.Two step authentication, passwords containing a minimum of21 character combinations and using a password management toolwere some significant factors for protecting not only your identity,but your municipalities network.continued on page 3
Workers’CompNews for Public EmployersP.O. Box 12250, Albany, NY 12212-2250Tel: (888)PERMA-NYFax: (877)PERMA-FAXBOARD OF DIRECTORSStephen Altieri,President and ChairAdministratorTown of MamaroneckBeth Hunt, Vice ChairTreasurerHamilton CountyJoseph Hogenkamp, TreasurerTreasurerCity of TonawandaJohn T. PierpontManagerVillage of Pelham ManorMarcus SerranoManagerCity of RyeCathryn ThomasVillage AdministratorVillage of East AuroraJack WheelerManagerSteuben CountyStephen AcquarioExecutive DirectorNew York State Associationof CountiesTimothy KremerExecutive DirectorNew York State School BoardsAssociationMANAGEMENT STAFFJerry FaiellaInterim Executive DirectorLetter fromStephen Altieri,PERMA Board Chair & PresidentDear PERMA Member:I write to inform you about an important structural change that has been mutually agreedupon by the PERMA Board of Directors and York Risk Services Group. On August 1, 2019,PERMA will transfer over to PERMA the employees providing member services, underwriting,risk management, analytics and finance, services previously provided by York/NEAMI.York/NEAMI will continue to operate our outstanding claims management service.As a PERMA member, it is important for you to know that the employees who work sodiligently to provide you with outstanding workers compensation and risk managementservices are not going anywhere. Rather, these employees will simply be working directly forPERMA. Likewise, York/NEAMI’s claims management team will remain intact and stand readyto meet all your needs.The change will provide PERMA with additional flexibility to provide the crucial servicesnecessary to grow and thrive. As an association that only serves municipal members locatedin New York, with you, we face a unique set of challenges and this change will provide uswith more control over our operations and allow us to focus solely on implementing the beststrategies and practices for our members.This new management structure guarantees that the institutional knowledge that resideshere at PERMA will remain at PERMA. With a simplified operating structure and sole focus onour members, we look forward to continued, mutual success in the years ahead.If you have any questions about this issue, please feel free to contact Karen Braman, SeniorDirector, Member Services at 1-888-737-6269 or at kbraman@perma.org and she will behappy to discuss the change in greater detail.Thank you for being a member of PERMA and we look forward to continuing to serve you.Sincerely:Nick GorgievskiChief Financial OfficerKaren G. Braman, CISRVice President, Member ServicesAlfred G. CampneyVice President, Underwritingand MarketingStephen Altieri,PERMA Board Chair & PresidentDebbie StickleVice President, Risk AnalyticsRich Hayes, WCPVice President, ClaimsGenie Mayo, RN, CCM, LNCCDirector, Medical ServicesManaged by Northeast Association Management, Inc.2www.perma.orgPublic Employer Risk Management Association, Inc. (PERMA), the largest self-insurance pool for public entities in New York State, has beenadministered by Northeast Association Management, Inc. (NEAMI) since 1995. NEAMI, with its staff of approximately 80 professionals, providesclaims management services, as well as nurse case management, risk services, coverage underwriting, and general member services.
2019 Annual Conference continued from page 1PERMA SAFETY & WELLNESS FAIRHIGHLIGHTSIn addition to the educational sessionsoccurring all day, we host the PERMA Safety& Wellness Fair to bring resources to you tohelp maintain the best work environment.Attendees had the opportunity to visitwith vendors, participate in simulations,view equipment demonstrations, receivewellness screenings and grab some usefulinformation on local services. This year wehosted over 25 vendors which includedmassage therapists, the Posture People(focusing on ergonomics of the workplace),FirstNet Learning (PERMA’s Safety InstituteVendor), PESH & the Department of Labor,our partner the New York State Associationof Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), SafGuard Shoe(addressing all the safety footwear needs),PERMA Claims Services (ask a claimsexpert station) and many more!have any suggestions as to who you wouldlike to visit with next year email us atmemberservices@neami.com.One particular highlight of this year’s fairwas Industrial Biodynamics- Slip Simulator.Through twentyminute simulations,participants testedtheir slip, trip, andfalls reflexes on avariety of surfaces.This engagingtraining simulationis known to reducethese accidents upto 70% by placingindividuals in atraining environment similar to their workcomplete with curbs, stairs, ramps, as theytested their techniques to improve stability.In case you missed a specific sessionor were unable to attend one of ourConference sessionshandouts, presentercontact information, videos and PowerPointpresentations are available on our websitefor your review. If you have any additionalquestions feel free to email MemberServices at memberservices@neami.comA full video of our Member’s participationcan be found on our website, perma.org.We continue to thank those vendors whoparticipate with us year after year. If youANNUAL MEMBER CONFERENCERESOURCESIN CONCLUSIONPERMA continuously strives to deliver greatevent experiences to all our members,guests and community partners, this yearwas no exception.Thank you for your continued support –we hope to see everyone again throughoutthe year as we host additional upcomingevents such as our Regional Manager’sSummit in September and at the FallEducational Conference, October 21stin Geneva.www.perma.org3
Workers’CompNews for Public EmployersPERMA 2018Awards in ExcellenceWe are so pleased to have had theopportunity to honor the 2018 Awards inExcellence winners at the Annual AwardsBanquet on Thursday, May 23 at theSagamore Resort on Bolton Landing. JerryFaiella, PERMA Interim Executive Director,Stephen Altieri, Chairman of the Board, andBeth Hunt, Vice Chair of the Board presentedthe awards.In partnership with New York StateAssociation of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), PERMAintroduced a new award this year - the 2018NYSAFC Pioneer Award to Henrietta FireDistrict. This Pioneer Award recognizes theDistrict’s innovative ways to address thespecific challenges of a diverse workforce.Lieutenant Mike Dinsmore, the Henrietta FireDistrict’s Safety Officer, keeps informed ofwhat’s going on both in the department andthe industry. From working with PERMA tofind new ways to improve workplace safety,to engaging with many organizations inthe community to promote collaboration,to learning about and implementing newnationwide trends, Mike is constantlyseeking new ideas to help keep hisfirefighters at their best.As a result of the District’s openness tonew ideas, they have initiated several newprograms and procedures, such as offeringmultiple weekly fitness and strength-trainingclasses, taught by a certified trainer withan understanding of the unique needs andstresses of the fire service; providing inservice classes on proper nutrition for theirfirefighters; and engaging with a peersupport team to ensure they meet theirresponders’ emotional health needs.While these topics have not beentraditionally addressed in the past, theirimportance is beginning to be recognized.The Henrietta Fire District have led theseinitiatives by incorporating these emergingtopics into a comprehensive employee safetyprogram. It is this eagerness for innovationand dedication to the health and wellness oftheir firefighters that makes them the perfectrecipient for the New York State Associationof Fire Chiefs Pioneer Award.Here are details on all of the winners,and be sure to view our full Woodstockthemed 2018 awards video available onour PERMA website.NYSAC Pioneer Awardpresented by Mark LaVigne, New York State Association of Counties. Awarded to Essex County andaccepted by Seth Celotti, County Safety Officer.This Pioneer award is awarded to a county who demonstrate exceptional creativity and transformativeapproaches to address challenges and produce a positive impact on the safety and health of employees.Triple Threat AwardAwarded to the Town of Riga and accepted by BradO’Brocta, Town Supervisor.The Triple Threat Award recognizes a member who’scumulative scores highest in timely claim reporting, bestreturn-to-work rate, and best medical-only to indemnity claimratio. Over the past five years the Town has filed all claimswithin 10 days of the incidient, has an average return-to-workrate of one day, and not one of their claims reported time lost.Riga is a small town, but they care just as much about theiremployees as larger towns.PERMA Safety Council Excellence in Risk Management AwardAwarded to Kelly Caramanna, Safety Director, Onondaga County Water Authority.The Safety Council Excellence in Risk Management Award , recognizes a particular employee, committee,department or municipality for demonstrating innovation, outside of the box thinking, and/or creativeuse of resources in promoting a positive safety culture. Kelly was nominated by Geoffrey Miller, DeputyExecutive Director, Onondaga County Water Authority. Her innovations of their safety program haveincluded new safety equipment storage lockers, work with distribution maintenance employees tocomplete excavations more safely, even overseeing a complete overhaul of their meter testing work areato improve ergonomics, ease heavy lifting, and prevent slips, trips, and falls. Under Kelly’s guidance,OCWA has even begun using drones to inspect water towers and other out-of-reach places so employeesdon’t need to climb up to inspect them. Her openness to out-of-the-box solutions has provided OCWAwith great results including no lost time injuries in 2018, an enhanced return to work program and highremarks and praise through numerous regulatory and agency inspections this year at OCWA.24www.perma.org
Kenneth Herman, Sr. Memorial Risk Management AwardAwarded to Village of Rye Brook and accepted by Pasquale Colantuono, Deputy Treasurer.The Kenneth Herman, Sr. Memorial Risk Management Award is presented to a PERMA member forexemplifying PERMA’s mission to improve workplace safety and wellness through exceptional participationand utilization of PERMA’s programs. With the highest member engagement rate, the Village of Rye Brookhas taken advantage of many PERMA programs including online access across all PERMA platforms,attended in-person PERMA meetings and PERMA webinars. Rye Brook’s Safety Coordinator also completedthe PERMA Safety Coordinator and Advanced Safety Coordinating programs in 2018. This engagementensures their small community can offer its employees and residents everythingthey need to be safe and well.PERMA Donates to FASNY Firemen’s Home and NYS National Emergency Number AssociationTom McKinney, Former Trustee awarded and accepts donation to the Firemen’s Association of theState of New York (FASNY) Firemen’s HomePERMA over the past few years have worked alongside the New York State Fire Associations in support ofthe Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Benefit Act. With success last January, this law was passed to providethose qualified volunteer firefighters with monetary assistance in the event they are diagnosed withcancer providing much relief to them and their families. It is through this sponsorship and partnershipwhere PERMA was awarded funds. Our Board of Directors decided to match these contributions and giveback to those who continually serve our local communities.Brian LaFlure, Director, Warren County Office of EmergencyServices awarded and accepts donation to the New YorkState Chapter of National Emergency Number AssociationIt is with great pleasure we recognized the NYS NationalEmergency Number Association Chapter (NYS NENA) andFiremen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Firemen’sHome each with a 5,000 donation to their organization.We thank you the NYS NENA Chapter for its efforts in providingthe most effective and efficient public safety solutions byprotecting those of our community and the FASNY Firemen’sHome for providing the highest quality services to those whohave protected our community.Longevity Award WinnersCongratulations to all our Members who have reached their milestone year in Membership. We are honored to continue to partner withyou and thank you for your loyal support for the PERMA workers compensation program.25 YearsAlbany Port District CommissionTown of ClarksonTown of Clinton, Dutchess CountyCopiague Memorial LibraryVillage of East HillsVillage of Hewlett Bay ParkVillage of Massapequa ParkTown of Mount PleasantVillage of OtisvilleTown of PerintonTown of PhilipstownPittsford Fire DistrictVillage of Port JeffersonTown of Santa ClaraTown of Shelter IslandInc. Village of South Floral ParkTown of WebsterVillage of West Hampton DunesVillage of Williston Park, Williston Park FD,Ladies Auxiliary & Emergency Relief SquadTown of Wright20 YearsVillage of AlleganyAmagansett Fire DistrictBanksville Independent Fire Co.Town of BethlehemChester Fire DistrictTown of Hope Volunteer Fire Co.Town of Indian LakeTown of IthacaTown of ManliusTown of MendonMiddlehope Fire DistrictMount Kisco Vol. Ambulance Corps.Village of SchoharieVillage of SpeculatorUniondale Public LibraryTown of WellsWestchester Joint Water Works15 YearsTown of ColtonMount Vernon Urban Renewal AgencyCity of Niagara FallsFor more information on these award winners, please visit PERMA.orgto view the full 2018 Awards in Excellence video.www.perma.org5
Workers’CompNews for Public EmployersUPCOMING EVENTSREGIONAL MEETING:DIVERSITY INCLUSION ANDCONFLICT MANAGEMENTWebinar NYS Sexual Harassment Update August 22nd 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.Mark your Calendars! September 23rd Buffalo The FoundryWINTER WEBINAR SESSIONS: September 25th Syracuse Sky ArmoryJoin us as we continue to host our one hourwebinars with trending topics and guestspeakers throughout the Winter months. September 27th Tarrytown Hilton DoubletreeFALL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE:REGIONAL MANAGER’S SUMMIT:Are you prepared? We invite all managers,administrators, and other decision makersto attend one of our PERMA RegionalManager’s Summit this September. Violentincidents are often unpredictable andevolve quickly. These full-day trainingswill focus on operational preparednessthrough a “whole community” approachby providing information on products,tools, and resources to help you prepare torespond. Registration information will beavailable in August.This Fall we are hosting four educationalsessions focusing on trending legal topics.Join us as we review employer’s rights, theJANUS decision, marijuana legalization andthe tax cap. Registration information will beavailable in September. October 21st and 22nd Geneva Belhurst Castle December 3rd PERMA Case Scenarios January 9th Municipal FinanceFundamentals February 4th Transitional DutyProgram March 5th Opioid Epidemic:NYS UpdateRegistration is now open if you haveadditional questions, please contactthe Member Service Department atmemberservices@perma.org.Our previously hosted webinars have beenrecorded and are ready to view on ourYouTube channel, PERMANY.UPDATE YOUR CONTACT LIST!@perma.orgEFFECTIVE AUGUST 1ST, PERMAASSOCIATES EMAIL ADDRESSES WILLREFLECT @PERMA.ORGPERMA employees providing MemberServices, Underwriting, Risk Management,Analytics and Finance services will beupdating their email addresses to reflect@perma.org. During this transition, old andnew email addresses will remain active toensure all communication is received.26www.perma.orgBELOW ARE SOME KEY REMINDERS FORDEPARTMENTAL EMAIL ADDRESSES: All Claims related items including FirstReport of Injury/Claims Documents shouldcontinue to be sent to compforms@neami.com and/ or fax: 1(877)737-6232 Certificates of Coverage Requests can beforwarded to underwriters@perma.org Member Services Questions:memberservices@perma.orgADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION: PERMA Toll Free number will remain thesame: 1(888)737-6269 PERMA Fax will remain the same:1(877)737-6232 All direct lines for associates will remainthe same.If you have any additional questions,or would like to be added to our onlinecoommunications, please contact JulieFlorek, Communications Specialist inMember Services
RISK MANAGEMENTHEAT-RELATED ILLNESSESEach year thousands of workers become illwhile working in extreme heat or humidity.There are a range of heat-related illnesses,such as: heat stroke, heat exhaustion,heat cramps, and heat rash. Knowing thesigns and symptoms of these illnesses andwhat first aid measurers to take can be thedifference of life or death. Under OSHA,employers are responsible for providing aworkplace free of known safety hazards,and this includes protecting workers fromextreme heat. Employers should work toestablish a heat illness prevention programwhich includes providing workers withwater, rest, and shade, allowing workers totake frequent breaks as they acclimatize,planning for heat-related emergencies, andmonitoring workers for signs and symptomsof heat-related illness.RISK ASSESSMENTS: WHAT THEY ARE,AND HOW TO PREPARE FOR THEMThe Risk Management department reviewsthe operations and exposures for PERMAmembers to develop recommendations oftraining and written programs, as well as,evaluate the member for PESH regulatorycompliance. To complete this, we performon-site risk assessments.An assessment typically consists oftwo parts. The first part is a meeting todiscuss: exposures; claim history; incidentreporting and review procedures; new-hireUpdateorientations; safety committees; safetytraining and written programs.The second portion is a site inspectionto determine hazards and regulatorycompliance issues. Preparation for a siteinspection involves gathering and reviewingall the applicable materials related to theabove elements.If we haven’t contacted you yet to schedulean assessment we will soon. For additionalquestions or concerns, please contact SarahO’Brien, Risk Management Consultant.FIREFIGHTER RISK REDUCTION GRANTAWARD WINNERSPublic Employer Risk ManagementAssociation, Inc. (PERMA) in partnershipwith New York State Association of FireChiefs (NYSAFC) is pleased to acknowledgethe following members as recipients forthe Firefighter Risk Reduction MiniGrantProgram. The purpose of this grant is tofinancially assist members in obtainingequipment that will help reduce injury andillness within their agency. Monies wereawarded in the following four categories:gear dryer and washer, power stretcher,hose management system and items forrehabilitation systems as a result of fiveyear review of PERMA claims where it wasidentified that lower back strain and heatexhaustion were the two leading injuries/illnesses for both professional andvolunteer firefighters.PERMA CERTIFIED SAFETY COORDINATOR AWARDEESIn addition to our annual awards recognition, the Risk Managementdepartment congratulated three PERMA members who havecompleted the PERMA Certified Safety Coordinator (PCSC) program.This program’s focus is on policies, procedures, and activities thatdesignated Safety Coordinators can create to maintain a safe workplace. Requirements of completing this course include completionof the Basic and Advanced Safety Coordinator Training, as well as,the Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry(OSHA 511) course. Additionally, in partnership with RIT OTIEC,PERMA has made a discounted rate available to all PERMAMembers for the OSHA 511 course.By taking this preventative approach, we hope all memberscontinue to build an effective Risk Management program toavoid incidents and lower the costs of accidents that do occur inyour workplace.For additional information regarding this course, please contactSigrid Vompa, Safety Training Coordinator.Through the three month applicationperiod, twenty four applications werereviewed and considered for the listedcategories. PERMA and NYSAFC awarded atotal of 45,000 to the following grantees:Gear Washer and Dryer Awardees: East Aurora Fire Department East Hampton Fire Department Village of Port Chester Fire Department Village of Scotia Fire DepartmentPower Stretcher Awardees: Village of Manlius Village of SpringvilleRehabilitation Unit Awardees: Greenville Fire District North East Joint Fire DistrictPower Hose Roller Awardees: Arlington Fire District Village of Croton on Hudson Guilderland Fire District Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire CompanyPERMA Risk Management and NYSAFC willcontinue to conduct ongoing evaluations ofagencies awarded equipment to determinethe equipment’s effectiveness in preventingillness and injury. Congratulations to ourwinners!PERMA Certified Safety Coordinator (PCSC) presented by Pat Becher, PERMA SafetyCouncil Chair award to and accepted by Mark Rising, Mohawk Valley Regional WaterBoard, Liz Melock, Village of Springville, and Tom Hoyt, Greene County.www.perma.org7
PUBLIC EMPLOYERRISK MANAGEMENTASSOCIATION, INC.P.O. Box 12250Albany, NY 12212-2250Visit us at www.perma.orgNew York’s largestself-insured provider ofworkers’ compensation forpublic entities.Follow PERMA onTwitter @PERMA4WCfor the latest updates!LAW ENFORCEMENT/CORRECTIONS ACCIDENTSACTIVITY AT TIME INJURY OCCURREDMarch, April, May 2019The above chart details claims submitted by LawEnforcement and Corrections for the period of March,April and May of 2019. Overall, eighty-nine (89) claimswere received during this period and Hand to Handwas again the highest category accounting for 26%of all submissions. The Safe Street Encounterstraining was recently held in Westchester Countyand was very well received by those in attendance.Topics included an overview of critical issues andusing policy, organizational culture and effectiveinternal communication to reduce risk to officersand minimize agency liability; A discussion of crisiscommunication versus conflict communications andthe need for both; The state of the law pertaining tode-escalation and related issues including the realityof what de-escalation is and its limitations; A statisticaloverview of the causes of officer injuries and deaths,and Critical video review of recent controversial casesand the application of Priority of Life to them. If youragency would like to host this training for other PERMAmembers in your area please let Lew Moskowitz, PublicSafety Risk Management Specialist, know.8www.perma.orgHandlingWalking Training 1%Objects 6% 1%Gaining Access toBuilding 1%Ergonomics 2%EMS Assists6%Getting In/OutVehicle 2%Hand-to-Hand26%Animal 6%MVA 5%Training 11%Miscellaneous3%FootPursuit 7%Slips, Trips &Falls 12%Exposure 11%
Workers' Comp . News for Public Employers. P.O. Box 12250, Albany, NY 12212-2250 . Tel: (888)PERMA-NY Fax: (877)PERMA-FAX . BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Stephen Altieri, President and Chair Administrator Town of Mamaroneck Beth Hunt, Vice Chair. Treasurer Hamilton County Joseph Hogenkamp, Treasurer . Treasurer City of Tonawanda John T. Pierpont. Manager
