ISSUE 2 | VOLUME 8 | MARCH-APRIL 2017

Defensive Driving 1

Distracted Driving

Awareness Month 2

Multitasking: Myth vs.

Reality 3

Liability Claims Corner:

Effective Claims Admin-

istration

4

Caffeine Dependence 5

The Importance of Sleep 6

NIOSH Flyer 7

Word Search 8

Credits 9

Based on its preliminary data, the National Safety Council calls 2016 “the deadliest year on the nation’s roads since 2007,” with as many as 40,000 deaths and 4.6 million injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. They estimate the financial cost to society last year to be $432 billion. Why this sudden increase in the rate of accidents? And what can be done to stop this trend? The key lies in defensive driving skills.

Saving TIME, MONEY, and LIVES

Page 1

Continued on next page...

THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH for employees on the job is motor vehicle collisions. The National Safety Council recently conducted a survey hoping to provide a better understanding of what caused such a steep in-crease in motor vehicle crashes. Although 83% of drivers surveyed claimed to be concerned with driving safety, there were some startling results:

THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL describes defensive driving as “driving to save lives, time, and money, despite the conditions around you and the actions of others.” Defensive driving training can arm drivers with strategies for predicting hazards, anticipating situations, and making safe, well-informed decisions. The Division of Risk Management recommends that state of Florida agencies and universities provide automobile safety training for employees who routinely operate a motor vehicle for state busi-ness.

THE INTERACTIVE FDOT DEFENSIVE DRIVING TRAINING COURSE, created by the Florida Department of Transportation, educates employees on safer driving techniques and the prevention of roadway crashes that could result in financial loss and/or personal injury. The course consists of 11 comprehensive video modules which can be broken up into segments for a total of approximately 3 hours of training.

The FDOT Defensive Driving course is available to state of Florida employ-ees through STATS, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) online learning management system, at the following link: http://stats.myfloridacfo.com/. Employees outside of DFS will be permitted to create their own account in STATS to self-enroll in the training. For more statistics related to defensive driving, visit: https://www.defensivedriving.org/defensive-driving-facts/. For more on the FDOT Defensive Driving training course, visit the Division of Risk Manage-

ment’s Loss Prevention Training website at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Risk/LossPrevention/Training.htm. For technical assistance with the FDOT De-fensive Driving course, con-tact the Loss Prevention Sec-tion at StateLossPrevention-

Program@myfloridacfo.com.

Could you imagine an employer en-

couraging workers to take their lives

into their hands unnecessarily as

part of their job duties? Would you

believe many employees are willing

to subject themselves to an in-

creased safety risk as a matter of

course?

In a recent National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration survey, many

drivers reported frequent use of cell

phones for work-related purposes

while driving. Such drivers are four

times as likely to be involved in a

crash. Employees who use cell

phones while driving are being ex-

posed to a four times greater risk of

injury than those who don’t.

Not just cell phone use, but any ac-

tivity that diverts the driver’s atten-

tion away from the primary task of

operating a motor vehicle results in

distracted driving. Examples include

talking to passengers, eating and

drinking, grooming, playing video

games or using smartphone apps,

reading maps or navigation systems,

and adjusting music players. Even

hands-free devices cause drivers to

become less attentive and have been

found to offer no safety benefit.

In addition to implementing policy

that prohibits employees from en-

gaging in distracted behavior while

operating a motor vehicle for work-

related purposes, employers should

educate and encourage employees

to follow best safety practices in all

instances when driving.

For more information on how to combat

distracted driving, visit the National Safety

Council’s website at www.nsc.org/ddmonth

and the US Govt’s official website for dis-

tracted driving at www.distraction.gov.

Page 2

Continued from page 1

D I S T R A C T E D

D R I V I N G A W A R E N E S S

64% said that they are comfortable driving over the posted speed limit 47 % admitted to texting, either manually or through voice controls 13% admitted to driving after using marijuana 13% admitted to driving while impaired by alcohol

Page 3

MYTH #1: DRIVERS CAN MULTITASK

REALITY: The human brain cannot do two things at the same time — try watching TV while

holding a phone conversation. The same is true when driving and talking on your phone. The

brain switches between the two tasks, which slows reaction time.

MYTH #2: TALKING ON A CELL PHONE IS JUST LIKE SPEAKING TO A PASSENGER

REALITY: Backseat drivers are good for you. Adult passengers help the driver and can alert

him/her to traffic problems. People on the other end of the phone can’t see what’s going on!

MYTH #3: TALKING ON A HANDS-FREE PHONE IS SAFE TO DO WHILE DRIVING

REALITY: Drivers talking on cell phones can miss seeing up to 50% of their driving environ-

ments, including pedestrians and red lights, even using hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth.

MYTH #4: USING CELL PHONES AT RED LIGHTS IS OK

REALITY: Even at stop lights, it is important to remain an attentive driver. A recent AAA

study shows that people are distracted up to 27 seconds after they finish sending a voice text.

MYTH #5: VOICE-TO-TEXT IS SAFE TO USE WHILE DRIVING

REALITY: It is still very distracting. You’re not only mentally distracted, but also visually

distracted due to common autocorrect errors.

Page 4

The Division of Risk Manage-

ment’s (“the Division”) Bureau of

State Liability and Property

Claims is responsible for handling

liability and civil rights claims filed

against state agencies and univer-

sities covered by the State Risk

Management Trust Fund. This

fund is governed by Chapter 284,

Part II, Florida Statutes

(F.S.). The Bureau of State

Liability and Property

Claims has two primary

responsibilities:

1. Adjust (investigate,

evaluate, deny, settle,

or defend) claims filed

against covered agen-

cies under four statuto-

rily required insurance

coverages: general lia-

bility, automobile liabil-

ity, federal civil rights,

employment discrimi-

nation, and court-

awarded attorney fees.

2. Enter notices of claims and

service of process filed

against subdivisions of the

state of Florida (counties) into

the claims management sys-

tem.

Claims filed against state agen-

cies and political subdivisions are

governed by section 768.28, F.S.,

which defines the exposure and

limits of liability damages for a

claimant who proves he or she

has been injured or harmed by

the agency and/or its employees,

agents, or volunteers. Liability

must be proven according to the

legal theory of negligence. The

claimant must prove (1) there was

a legal duty owed to the plaintiff;

(2) the agency breached that du-

ty; and (3) the breach of duty was

the proximate cause of injury or

damages sustained. If the claim-

ant is unable to prove all three of

these things, the claim will be de-

nied and defended.

The Division depends on the co-

operation and assistance of state

agencies to provide the most

efficient claims services on their

behalf. The sooner it receives

notice from an agency of an inci-

dent which can or will result in a

claim, the more effective the Di-

vision will be in setting up the

file, conducting the investigation,

evaluating the claim, and moving

to final resolution.

Here are several important ba-

sics that can assist the Division

in managing a liability claim:

1. Gather all available infor-

mation, including accident/

crash reports, and provide

these to the Division as

soon as possible. This can

be done simultaneously

with any ongoing investiga-

tion/review being conduct-

ed by the agency. DO NOT

WAIT – in far too many in-

stances, a claimant, insur-

ance carrier, or attorney

contacts the Division prior

to the Division having

knowledge of the incident.

This puts the Division and

the agency in a less effec-

tive position to handle the

claim. Even if an agency is

unable to get written ma-

terial to the Division the

same day of the incident,

calling in with the basic in-

formation can help begin

the set-up process.

2. If the accident is an automo-

bile event, always contact

law enforcement to obtain a

crash report regardless of

the severity. If the other par-

ty refuses to cooperate or

says it is not needed, make

the call anyway. The Division

receives numerous claims

How Agencies and the Division of Risk Management Can Work Together

Page 5

where this was not done,

and what appeared to be a

minor/non-injury event de-

veloped into a significant

claim for injuries and dam-

ages.

3. Make no statement to any-

one at the scene or later re-

garding fault or promises

that the state will take care of

them – this applies to any

type of claim, as the facts will

ultimately determine fault

and liability.

4. After a claim is reported and

set up by the Division, any

further contact or request for

information by anyone out-

side the agency or Division of

Risk Management should be

referred to the Division, and

the Division will handle re-

questing any further infor-

mation needed from the

agency. Once a file is opened,

all material/data is privileged

until a claim reaches its final

resolution and is closed.

The Division’s goal is to effective-

ly investigate, evaluate, and re-

solve any claim made against an

agency in the most efficient and

cost-effective manner possible.

Remember that employees as

individuals can be named in a

suit, so it is in every person’s

best interest to report anything

that may lead to a claim and pro-

vide the information to your

agency and the Division as soon

as possible. By working together,

the Division and state agencies

can ensure the best approach to

the resolution of liability claims.

For questions, assistance, or further

information, please contact the Divi-

sion of Risk Management at (850)

413-3122 or visit our website at

http://www.myfloridacfo.com/

Division/Risk/.

Continued from pg. 4

With work, chores, 24-7 digital

information and entertainment,

and the need to spend time with

friends and family, many of us

forego sleep, which over time

leads to fatigue and sleep depri-

vation. (See page 6’s article on the

importance of sleep.) Up to 90%

of adults get through the day with

the help of caffeinated beverages,

most commonly coffee, tea, and

sodas.

Caffeine is one of the oldest and

most widely used drugs in the

world. It creates a stimulant

effect by blocking adenosine, a

neurotransmitter that promotes

sleep and suppresses arousal.

Moderate use (400 mg per day)

can increase alertness, improve

physical performance, and even

decrease heart disease. Though

generally considered safe, clinical

studies have shown that its con-

tinued use can cause chemical

dependence. Many individuals

find themselves unable to quit or

reduce consumption of caffeine,

even when health risks such as

insomnia, anxiety, depression,

increased blood pressure, and

cardiovascular issues become

prevalent.

A 2016 study done by the Ameri-

can Academy of Sleep Medicine

tested the effectiveness of

caffeine in helping to combat

sleep deprivation. Surprisingly, a

consistent daily dose of caffeine

stopped improving alertness and

performance after just three days

of restricted sleep. Other studies

have also demonstrated a toler-

ance to the effects of caffeine

with ongoing use. Quitting can be

difficult, as many caffeine con-

sumers have withdrawal symp-

toms such as headache, fatigue,

and difficulty concentrating.

Caffeine can be an effective stop-

gap tool for fighting short bouts

of sleep deprivation. But it’s im-

portant to remember that the on-

ly consistently effective method

of combating sleeplessness is get-

ting enough sleep.

For more info on caffeine addiction and

how to kick the habit, visit Everyday

Health.

NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION

APRIL 23—29

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF)

reports that people in the U.S. get

20% less sleep than they did 100

years ago. This “sleep epidemic” is

mainly because society does not pri-

oritize sleep. Most adults should get

between 7-9 hours of sleep per night, according to the NSF. But workers often choose to spend less time sleeping

rather than cutting back on time spent with family and friends. This behavior can take a terrible toll at home and in

the workplace.

What are the signs of sleep deprivation?

Yawning, drooped head or eyelids, eye rubbing, “microsleeps” (periods of sleep lasting 1-30 seconds)

Difficulty concentrating on tasks, inattention, memory issues, forgetting or incorrectly performing tasks

Uncharacteristic behavior, withdrawal, moodiness, low energy, low motivation

Lack of sleep adversely affects your physical health. People who average less than seven hours of sleep per

night are nearly three times more likely to develop a cold. Sleep deficiency is also associated with higher rates of

muscle and joint pain. It can even potentially lead to serious long-term health problems, such as obesity, heart dis-

ease, and diabetes.

Sleep has a profound impact on mood. Frayed nerves, irritability, and lack of focus associated with lost

sleep can put a strain on relationships in the home and the workplace.

Sleep deprivation can affect cognitive abilities including perception, judgment, and reaction time. 17 hours

of wakefulness has the equivalent effect of two glasses of wine.

Sleep deprivation causes poor performance and lowered productivity at work. In sleep studies, even an ex-

tra 30 minutes of sleep can help with focus, creativity, and motivation. A study conducted in 2010 by consulting ser-

vice Alertness Solutions estimated productivity losses caused by fatigue to be almost $2,000 per worker per year.

Studies show lack of sleep can greatly affect an employee’s ability to do the job safely. One such study pub-

lished in the Journal of Vision (Vol. 12, No. 7) reported that participants asked to sleep less than 6 hours per night

for several weeks became slower at identifying visual information in computerized tests, though they did not feel

sleepier than usual. Over time, workers become less able to detect how sleepy they actually are.

How can you help to combat sleep deprivation in your workplace?

Employees should take frequent breaks when necessary, adopt better sleep habits, and decrease the use of

electronic devices after work. Avoid using substances such as caffeine, as they can be addictive and actually make

fatigue worse. (See article on page 5 regarding caffeine dependence.)

Employers should make schedules consistent, restrict consecutive shifts, provide suffi cient time off, bal-

ance workload and staffing, educate workers on fatigue-related hazards and sleep disorders, and provide cool,

well-lit workplaces free from humidity or monotonous noise.

For more tips on how you can combat sleep deprivation, visit the National Sleep Foundation.

Page 6

Page 7

References

Science Daily, American Academy of Sleep Medicine: (June 13, 2016) “Caffeine has little to no benefit after 3 nights of sleep restriction.” https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160613130813.htm

National Institutes of Health, Journal of Caffeine Research (September 3, 2013) “Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777290/

National Safety Council, Safety + Health Magazine: (May 23, 2014) “Sleepy and unsafe — Why aren’t workers getting enough rest?” http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/10412-sleepy-and-unsafe-worker-fatigue

National Safety Council (February 15, 2017) “Motor Vehicle Deaths in 2016 Estimated to be Highest in Nine Years.” http://www.nsc.org/Connect/NSCNewsReleases/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?List=1f2e4535%2D5dc3%2D45d6%2Db190%2D9b49c7229931&ID=180&Web=36d1832e%2D7bc3%2D4029%2D98a1%2D317c5cd5c625

Page 8

ADJUST

CAFFEINE

CLAIMS

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

DEFENSIVE

DEPRIVATION

DISTRACTED

DRIVING

EFFICIENT

FATIGUE

LIABILITY

MULTITASKING

SLEEP

B H N Q P V J T X J K V A A W

O S N B C D R I V I N G C U C

X K Q S I U I W S P S Z N A F

S F A T I G U E O O E L F W S

X Q W S T N E I C I F F E X K

G N O I T A V I R P E D S E O

E W J C K R I E Q I X Q P J P

V R M N P R E L N P G O K S S

I T C Z H N C E C L A I M S K

S G N I V A S T H G I L Y A D

N T S U J D A A Z N N D I R M

E V D E T C A R T S I D V V Y

F L V M U L I A B I L I T Y N

E C L Y R I A P F I T B J J I

D G G N I K S A T I T L U M V

We look forward to your

feedback on how we can better

serve you. To submit story ide-

as, articles, and other sug-

gestions—or to be added to

our distribution list—please

contact us by clicking on the

link below:

State Loss Prevention Program

Molly Merry, CPA Division Director

Robin Delaney Assistant Division Director

Shannon Segers, ARM-P Bureau Chief, Bureau of Risk Financing & Loss Prevention

Christia Nunnery, MPA

Administrator, Loss Prevention Section

Office of the Director (850) 413-4700

State of Florida Loss Prevention Section (850) 413-4756

Bureau of State Liability & Property

Claims (850) 413-3122

Bureau of State Employee Workers’

Compensation Claims (850) 413-3123

State Liability Claim Change Form (850) 413-4852

Safety Coordinator Appointment Form (850) 413-4756

Workers’ Compensation Claim Change Form (850) 413-4802

Florida Department of Financial Services

Division of Risk Management

200 East Gaines Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

The Safety and Loss Prevention Out-

look newsletter is for informational

purposes only. The Department of

Financial Services does not endorse

or support any websites, products,

brands, or services referenced here-

in.

Page 9

Safety & Loss

Prevention

Outlook Team:

Lori Taylor

Managing Editor/Writer

Jimmy Glisson

Writer

Christia Nunnery

Staff Editor