ADA and the Michigan Civil Rights Act: Employment Issues
This PERC$ provides an overview of Title I of the Americans with Disability Act
and the Michigan Handicapper's Civil Rights Act as they affect employment practices.
This
document allows an organization to review its current procedures when dealing
with
employees with disabilities and reduces exposures to claims of discrimination. [Back
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Ada -- Title II: Non Discriminations in Government Services, Programs, and Activities
This document discusses the major requirements of the Americans with Disability
Act - Title II. Organizations who want to assure that their public services
to the disabled
are accessible and in compliance with federal law should review this risk
management
tool. [Back
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A Basic Plan for Preventing Back Injuries
Every organization faces the threat and the reality of employees with back
injuries. Learn how to identify critical exposures to back injuries and
ways to reduce those exposures. [Back
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Contractors
Using contractors is often necessary for construction or high risk projects for
which a municipality's employees do not have the knowledge, skills or abilities.
This PERC$
discusses contractual arrangements and reviews basic areas that a municipality
should consider when it uses contractors: safety, security and protection of
property, and
insurance considerations. The PERC$ includes a checklist covering the basic
requirements that the PERC$ covers. [Back
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Department of Public Works: A Checklist
Almost every public agency has a Public Works Department.
Because of the wide variety of services provided in this department,
there can be an enormous amount of employee safety requirements
to address. This document provides an extensive checklist and
brief explanation of those critical issues. [Back
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Disciplining and Discharging Legally
Disciplining or discharging an employee is one of the most difficult tasks a manager
must perform. Doing it improperly is also one of the most frequent reasons that former
employees bring action against an employer. Every public employer should review
their current disciplinary practices by reviewing this PERC$ and Self-Assessment. [Back
to
Top]
Emergency Planning Requirements for Fire Departments
This PERC$ discusses the three requirements for emergency planning with which
Michigan fire departments must comply: Firefighter Right-to-Know, Hazwoper, and
Sara Title III. The document covers key points and provides a checklist that fire
departments can use to determine if they have fulfilled all the mandated requirements. [Back
to
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Employment Related Notices: A Checklist for Public Employers
This document provides a brief description of the various state and federal
employment-related notices that employers must post in the workplace. It also
provides information on where public employers can obtain copies of each of the
posters. Attached to the PERC$ is one copy of each of the posters discussed. [Back
to
Top]
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
This document discusses the major provisions and requirements of the FMLA, both
from the employer's and the employee's perspective. The PERC$ also provides
examples to illustrate how you determine eligibility and some practical tips for
managing the requirements of the Act. [Back
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Top]
Fleet Management for Public Entities
Operating motor vehicles is essential to the delivery of most municipal
services and creates a considerable exposure for your organization as
well as for the Michigan Municipal Liability and Property Pool and the
Worker's Compensation Fund. This PERC$ discusses several important steps
that public entities should take to reduce the exposure and provides a
sample administrative policy for vehicle fleet safety. [Back
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Top]
Handling Angry Citizens
Every public agency must serve its citizens.
Often times, citizens become frustrated and take their frustration
out on employees. This document will help you to identify those
areas that are most prevalent to creating an angry or hostile
situation, and also include recommendations to reduce your exposure
to employee injury as well as poor public opinion. [Back
to
Top]
Handling Revenue
Every municipality handles some type of revenue,
whether it is cash, checks, or credit cards. Improperly handled
revenue creates an exposure to employee safety, loss of capital
and the confidence of the community it services. This document reviews
the major exposures to any organization that handles revenue and
makes suggestions to do so safely and efficiently. [Back
to
Top]
Hazard Communication - Employee Right To Know
State and federal laws require employers to identify hazardous chemicals in
the workplace. Employers must then train their employees on these hazards as
well
as on how to avoid them and on actions they should take if they come in
contact with one of them. Employers should review this resource document and
conduct
their own self assessment to reduce the likelihood of an employee injury
or a state or federal fine. [Back
to
Top]
Hiring Decisions: Reducing Your Exposure to Litigation
Hiring new employees requires a juggling act by employers. Employers must follow
the requirements of state and federal employment laws. They also struggle with
deciding how to identify the most qualified candidate. Identify the major steps that
employers can take to hire effectively and avoid litigation by reviewing this PERC$
and Self-Assessment. [Back
to
Top]
Implementing Energy Control Procedures Lockout/Tagout
Energy sources such as power equipment, electrical
circuits and machines create exposures to employees who maintain
or repair them. Identify the proper procedure to safely "Lockout
or Tagout" all equipment while it is being repaired or
maintained. This document is useful for all Fire Departments,
Public Works, Water Departments, and Power Generating Facilities. [Back
to
Top]
Laboratory Safety: Basic Rules & Procedures for Working Safely with Chemicals
This PERC$ takes the form of a checklist that you can use to determine if
your procedures and policies for laboratory safety adhere to MIOSHA
requirements. The checklist covers general safety practices, personal
protective equipment, housekeeping, hazard communication, accidents and
spills, and equipment. [Back
to
Top]
Liability Issues for Fire & EMS
Fire departments and EMS units must address a host
of safety and liability issues when performing their jobs. This
self assessment provides a brief overview of the major
safety and liability issues that should be addressed in this service
area. [Back
to
Top]
Lightning Protection for Your Municipality
Every municipality needs to be aware of lightning protection technology and
lightning safety awareness. This PERC$ reviews the basics, providing information
on the dangers of lightning as well as measures municipalities can take to
protect life and property from lightning strikes. [Back
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Top]
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act
Most employers must comply with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act
(MIOSHA). Employers should review this document to identify their obligations under
MIOSHA obligations and how to fulfill them. [Back
to
Top]
Municipal Facilities and Special Events
Municipalities often provide special events such as fairs, parades, or displays of
fireworks for their citizens. These events -- whether the municipality or outside an
organization sponsors them -- may create liabilities and hazards that the municipality
must control. This PERC$ outlines a method of evaluating the liabilities as well as
hazards that a special event can pose. It also offers some practical measures that
municipalities can take to limit the risks of providing special events. In addition, the
document addresses topics of special concern such as the sale of alcoholic beverages
and the rental of municipal facilities. A checklist is attached. [Back
to
Top]
Occupational Health Concerns: An Overview
This document summarizes the requirements of the Michigan
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) standard
that addresses two serious occupational health concerns. A Bloodborne
Pathogens program must be adopted for every employee who has an
exposure to infectious diseases. Secondly, employers who
operate a health care facility must develop a program for preventing
the spread of tuberculosis. [Back
to
Top]
Operating Public Transportation Services
Many public agencies offer some form of transportation services to the public.
Transporting the public places a responsibility on the agency to do it safely and
correctly. The purpose of this document is to review this important responsibility and
reduce the likelihood that a claim will result. [Back
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Top]
OSHA/MIOSHA Revised Recordkeeping rule
This PERC$ summarizes the changes in recordkeeping that became effective in
January 2002. A summary table of key changes is included for easy reference. [Back
to
Top]
An Overview of Federal and State Laws that Affect Employment
Employment laws can change frequently on the state
and federal level. An extensive list of the major state and federal
laws is included, with a brief description of each.
This is an excellent training tool for your managers who may be
unfamiliar with employment laws and their impact on their job. [Back
to
Top]
Park and Playground Safety In Your Municipality
Many communities maintain parks and playgrounds for the enjoyment of their
citizens. This PERC$ provides an overview of recommended practices for
operating playgrounds and parks safely. It includes a discussion of the
Consumer Products Safety Commission's recommendations on selecting and
maintaining equipment as well as designing play areas. The PERC$ also
provides a convenient checklist to assist communities in inspecting their
parks and playgrounds. [Back
to
Top]
Pre-employment Testing and Investigation
Most employers want to hire the best possible candidate for a particular job.
Screening employees before hiring them increases the likelihood that the
selected employee will have the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to
perform the job efficiently and safely. Conducting legal but thorough
testing and investigations also reduces your likelihood of a claim of
negligent hiring. Some of the testing and investigation tools include
written tests, psychological tests and background investigations. [Back
to
Top]
Preparing for Floods and Flash Floods
Floods are one of the most common and widespread
of all natural disasters. Most communities experience some degree
of flood exposure. This document suggests some mitigation activities that
help to prevent or reduce the chance of an emergency, or lessen
the effects of the occurrence. [Back
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Preventing Sewer Backups: A Checklist for Public Works Managers
This is a companion document to Storm water and Wastewater
Management: A Brief for Municipal Managers and is expressly directed at DPW managers.
The PERC$ discusses the steps the Department of Public Works should take
to reduce the risk of litigation. It recommends that the municipality
should a formal sewer cleaning and inspection program that documents
planned inspection routes and completion dates. [Back
to
Top]
Protect Your Employees from West Nile Virus
This document
discusses the source, symptoms, and treatment of West Nile Virus. It also
offers practical advice on preventive measures
that municipalities can take to protect their employees from WNV. [Back
to
Top]
Protecting Your Employees from Hepatitis C
This is a companion document to Occupational
Health Concerns: An Overview.
It discusses the source and transmission of Hepatitis C. It offers guidelines
for protective measures municipalities should implement especially for employees
at high risk, such as police officers, firefighters and emergency services
personnel. [Back to
Top]
Railroad Crossings
Many public agencies have a responsibility for traffic control at railroad
crossings. Failure to evaluate, monitor and correct deficiencies in these
crossings may result in a lawsuit against the community should an accident
occur. To reduce the potential of a public grade accident impacting your
insurance program, an organization should review this document with a civil
engineer or other knowledgeable person. [Back
to
Top]
Reducing Employee Slips, Trips and Falls
One of the most common employee injuries is caused by
"Slip, Trip, and Fall".
Identify the causes of these types of injuries and why they occur by
reviewing this self assessment. This document addresses ways to reduce slips,
trips and falls in the workplace. [Back
to
Top]
Reducing the Exposure to Claims of Discrimination in Employment
Employees can claim discrimination in the hiring and promotional processes, during
training, disciplinary process, as well as during other times of their relationship with an
employer. This PERC$ addresses those areas and suggests the best legal way to
handle the common employment practices. This document is a necessity for all new
managers and those unfamiliar with employment related laws. [Back
to
Top]
Reducing Exposures from Confined Space Entry
Serious injuries or death can occur to employees
who improperly enter areas determined to be confined spaces. Identify
what constitutes a confined space and the proper procedure for
safe entry. This document is useful for all Fire Departments,
EMS, Water and Public Works Departments. [Back
to
Top]
Reducing Exposures from Workplace Violence
This document discusses the impact of violence both on the employer and the
employee. It provides practical guidelines that municipalities can use when
implementing measures to reduce the exposure to workplace violence. It also
discusses the employer's legal obligations to take steps to protect employees from
violence. The PERC$ includes a sample workplace violence policy. [Back
to
Top]
Reducing the Risk of Motor Vehicle Operations
Four Parts
- A Management Brief
- Development of a Motor Vehicle Operations Policy
- Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
- Hiring and Training to Reduce Losses
This four-part program reviews an essential part
of the delivery of most public services -- Motor Vehicle Operations.
The four-part series reviews the risks associated with operating
motor vehicles, assists with developing a comprehensive operations
policy to reduce the risk, suggests ways to conduct vehicle inspections
and maintenance, and ways to reduce losses through appropriate
hiring and training of employees.
[Back
to
Top]
This document discusses many of the issues facing municipalities as they
undertake to fulfill this important responsibility. The PERC$ offers
practical suggestions for a successful program. Preventing Sewer
Backups: A Checklist for Public Works Managers is a companion
document expressly directed at DPW managers.
