Use of Risk Management Information System to track Aerial Work Platforms
2017 NACo Achievement Award Winner
Broward County, Fla., FL
Best In Category
About the Program
Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)
Year: 2017
The Safety and Occupational Health Section (S&OH) of Broward County’s Risk Management Division works diligently to ensure the safety of Broward County employees and visitors, and to protect county property including buildings, equipment and other assets. The Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs), which are mechanical devices used to elevate workers and their tools to a desired height for a job, are examples of county-owned equipment. The county owns over 60 different types of AWPs distributed throughout 9 divisions countywide. These include, but are not limited to: boom lifts, vertical mast lifts, and bucket trucks. Failure to keep current inspection and maintenance records on AWPs could potentially lead to an unsafe work environment, injury, or even death. In April of 2013, the Risk Management’s S&OH Section took the role of maintenance program administrator for the AWP to create policy and procedures, administer the record retention, and provide required training for Broward County employees who operate the equipment. Prior to action being taken by the S&OH Section, record keeping for the AWPs among the various divisions were inconsistent and/or lacking, and had no central location. S&OH now audits the program to ensure compliance. Having a centralized administrator consolidated the management of documentation on the inspection and maintenance of the AWPs, ensuring employee safety. Utilizing the existing Risk Management Information System (RMIS) application and customizing it significantly to track the AWP assets resulted in a robust program that ensures the AWPs are safe to use and are maintained properly. This also revealed an added benefit of buying power by combining contracts and creating Master Purchasing Agreements, resulting in significant savings to the county. Overall, this program has been successful and very beneficial to the safety of Broward County employees.