Welcome! Risk Management Training For VCE Master Gardeners

Liability Coverage VCE- Master Gardeners are covered by Virginia Cooperative Extension under the Commonwealth of Virginia self- insurance program It is a comprehensive general liability policy

Liability Coverage This insurance program covers employees and volunteers while participating in or leading VCE- Master Gardener programs that have been approved by the agent-- in cases of negligence or liability only. Any medical problem arising from volunteer work is the individual MG’s responsibility through their personal health insurance

Liability Coverage Limitations Master Gardeners are not covered under this insurance for pesticide use or pest control recommendations conducted outside of VCE programs

Biological Weapons Inspector? Biological Weapons Inspection Team

A. Requirements for coverage You could be an active VCE Master Gardener volunteer if……. You have completed a VCE Volunteer application or Master Gardener renewal form. Activity is an agent approved activity Any chemical recommendations you make as a Master Gardener must come from the current edition of the Pesticide Management Guide

A. Requirements for coverage You should be working on an agent approved activity You may submit new activity proposals for agent approval Reporting service hours and contacts is required.

The Air Conditioner Repairman

B. Elements All four elements of liability must be present in the situation:

The city council maintenance team

Element #1 “Existence of a legal duty to protect the injured party from reasonable risks of harm that can be reasonably foreseen.” As a volunteer, you assume a legal duty. You are expected to plan to prevent injury or accident

The Electrician

Element #2 “A failure to perform that duty of care. “ Ignorance and inexperience are no excuse. Anticipate problems that may occur

Element #3 “An injury suffered by the claimant (person filing the claim). Injury may be physical, mental or property.”

The WMD warehouse manager

Element #4 “A reasonably close causal relationship between the breach of duty and the claimant’s injury.” The burden of proof is on the claimant

The shooting gallery assistant

How to Ruin a Lawyer’s Day Document your planning and training: Notes to the effect that you know who you have duty of care for Analyze the activity and environment for hazards on paper Write down your contingency plans for accidents or incidents

B. Evaluating the Risks Anticipate safety hazards “Planning for the Best and the Worst” Brainstorm a ‘hazards checklist’ Have a Plan B… and C

C. In the Event of an Incident... Submit the Accident / Incident Report for: –personal injuries or accidents to participants or volunteers –serious injuries

In the event of... serious multiple injuries, or fatalities, incidents that involve law enforcement, or incidents that may result in litigation..follow the card listing Emergency Procedures

In the event of a mistake... Liability and legal counsel from Virginia Tech Insurance Coverage for Volunteers Visit the VCE website: riskmgt/riskmgt.html

EMERGENCY CONTACTS AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS Office: or University Relations: State Police: Cell Phone: #77 VT Police: Cell: VT Legal Counsel: State Police Local: Local Police: Alex: Arl: Fire Dept: Arl: Alex: THESE PROCEDURES SHOULD ONLY BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT OF A FATALITY OR AN EMERGENCY WHICH INVOLVES SERIOUS INJURIES OR LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS. Information on how to handle incidents of a lesser nature, or on what forms to complete, may be found in the Risk Management Information Guide for Virginia Cooperative Extension. The general switchboard number for Virginia Tech is First Contact: Risk Mgmt. Office: Home: N/A Supervisor: Name: Kirsten Buhls