Sedgwick County risk management details employee safety trainings, ergonomics and testing

Elizabeth Wingo, director of risk management for Sedgwick County, outlined the county's employee safety programs, including CPR and first-aid training, ergonomic assessments, bloodborne-pathogen training, fit testing and defensive driving classes, during a brief address.

Wingo said the county emphasizes practical training and workplace assessments to reduce injuries and keep employees safe. "We promote safety because we want everyone to go home at the end of the day, just the way they came to work," she said.

Wingo described several elements of the county's program. She said training includes CPR and first aid and noted the importance of correct technique, adding, "I didn't see the chest rise, so you gotta reposition." She said the county conducts ergonomic assessments to ensure staff are seated correctly at their desks and to prevent repetitive or positioning injuries. Wingo also listed bloodborne-pathogen training, fit testing and defensive driving classes as part of the risk-management offerings.

The director characterized Sedgwick County's injury rates as "really low," attributing that outcome to the county's safety procedures and protocols. She cautioned that workplace accidents still occur and gave examples ranging from minor incidents such as a hand caught in a door to more serious events such as motor-vehicle accidents or equipment malfunctions.

Wingo said the county continually updates its safety practices as technology and equipment evolve. Specific program metrics, training enrollment numbers, budgets or timelines for changes were not specified during the remarks.

No formal actions or votes were reported in the transcript relating to this presentation.