SOP 404.01: Risk Management Services

Division:
Administrative & Finance
Effective Date:
November 7, 2023
Topic Area:
Policy-Administration and Finance
PowerDMS:
View on PowerDMS
Length:
2,049 words

Summary

This policy establishes the Georgia Department of Corrections' risk management program, which identifies and analyzes loss exposures to minimize financial impacts. It covers multiple insurance programs including automobile liability, general liability, property, workers compensation, return to work, unemployment, and other coverage types. The policy identifies which divisions manage each insurance program and outlines reporting requirements for various types of claims.

Key Topics

  • risk management
  • insurance claims
  • automobile liability
  • general liability
  • property insurance
  • workers compensation
  • return to work program
  • indemnification program
  • unemployment insurance
  • public employee blanket bond
  • comprehensive loss control
  • state vehicles
  • employee injuries
  • loss control

Full Text

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 1 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

I. Introduction and Summary:

This policy shall identify the divisions within the Georgia Department of Corrections
(GDC) when reporting insurance claims for damage to State Automobiles, Liability,
Property, All Risk, Workers Compensation, Return to Work, Indemnification
Program, Unemployment, Public Employee Blanket Bond, and Comprehensive Loss
Control.

II. Authority :

A. O.C.G.A.: §§ 50-21-33 and 50-16-9.

B. DOAS Comprehensive Loss Control Program.

C. DOAS Georgia Fleet Manual.

D. DOAS Policy 10.

E. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 104.02 Human Resources Records

Management, 104.22 Workers Compensation, 104.23 Return to Work Program,
104.62 Unemployment Compensation, and 404.03 Insurance Claims and
Reporting; and

F. ACA Standard: 2-CO-1B-11.

III. Definitions:

A. Risk Management Services - This program is defined as the practice of

identifying and analyzing loss exposures and taking steps to minimize the financial
impact of the risks they impose. It is comprised of Automobile Liability and
Physical Damage, General Liability, Property, All Risk, Workers Compensation,
Return to Work, Indemnification Program, Unemployment Insurance, Public
Employee Blanket Bond, and Comprehensive Loss Control Program.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 2 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

B. Automobile Liability and Physical Damage Insurance - This program is

managed by the Fleet Management Coordinator. This program protects state
employees while driving on state business.

C. General Liability Insurance - This program is managed by the Risk Management

Coordinator.

1. Liability (Employee/Private Citizen) - This program protects state

government and its employees from claims brought against them while
performing official duties.

2. State Tort Insurance (Offender/Detainee) - This program covers any legally

obligated damage, court costs and litigation expenses because of negligence of
state officers and employees performing their official duties.

3. Personal Injury (Private Citizen) - This program is managed by the Risk

Management Coordinator. This program is to provide coverage for private
citizens who may become injured while on State Property.

4. Property Insurance - This program is managed by the Risk Management

Coordinator. This program covers state owned buildings and Personal
Property (Contents).

a) State Property - All property owned by the State of Georgia.

b) Contents - All Contents contained in state owned property.

D. All Risk Insurance - This program is managed by the Risk Management

Coordinator. This program covers an agency's exposure to loss of money and
securities, watercraft used on inland lakes, fine arts, mobile equipment (e.g.,
backhoes, forklifts, brush hogs, golf carts), Personal Property temporarily away
from premises (e.g., audio/visual equipment taken to a conference) or leased

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 3 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

equipment (e.g., copying machines, fax machines) through a Special Property All
Risk Agreement State Property Claim.

E. Personal Property - This program is managed by the Risk Management

Coordinator. This program is to provide coverage for the private citizen, state
employee, offender or detainee in the event Personal Property is lost or damaged
while on State Property.

F. Workers Compensation - This program provides monetary supplements for

absences from work as well as medical care and other costs associated with job
related injuries.

G. Return to Work - This program assists employees with occupational and non
occupational injuries/illnesses to return to full productivity.

H. Indemnification Program - This program provides a financial benefit for

designated public officers and public-school personnel who are disabled or killed
in the line of duty.

I. Unemployment Program - This program assists agencies in conjunction with the

Georgia Department of Labor in the administration of unemployment claims.

J. Public Employee Blanket Bond - This program will pay for loss that result from

direct acts of employee dishonesty, forgery or alteration, theft, disappearance, or
destruction of funds loss on the GDC property or on a banking premises, outside
the premises while in the care of a messenger or armored motor vehicle company,
computer fraud and money order and counterfeit paper currency.

K. Comprehensive Loss Control Program - This program allows the Department

of Administrative Services (DOAS) to establish incentive programs that include
setting insurance coverage premium rates and adjusting claim deductibles based
upon participation in the loss control program.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 4 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

IV. Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:

A. Automobile Liability and Physical Damage Insurance are managed by Fleet

Management.

1. This program protects state employees while driving on state business. Prior to

driving a state vehicle, all drivers are to watch the videos listed below & sign
the acknowledgement form(s):

a. The Motor Vehicle Use Program Driver Acknowledgement; and

b. DOAS Driving Do’s and Don’ts Video.

Note: Procedures for filing an automobile claim are outlined in SOP 404.03

Insurance Claims & Reporting.

B. General Liability Insurance is managed by the Risk Management Coordinator.

This program protects state government and its employees from claims brought
against them while performing official duties.

Note: Procedures for filing a Liability claim are outlined in SOP 404.03 Insurance

Claims & Reporting.

C. Property Insurance is managed by the Risk Management Coordinator.

1. This program covers state owned buildings and Personal Property (Contents),

known as BLLIP (Building, Land, Leases, Inventory of Property). BLLIP is a
web-based program, maintained by the State Properties Commission that is
used to determine the Departments Insurance Premium.

2. The Risk Management Coordinator will contact all GDC entities, annually,

requesting any changes to property or Contents. The changes are submitted to

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 5 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

the Risk Management Coordinator who enters updated information into
BLLIP.

Note: Procedures for filing a property claim are outlined in SOP 404.03

Insurance Claims & Reporting.

D. All Risk Insurance is managed by the Risk Management Coordinator.

1. This program covers an agency's exposure to loss of money and securities,

watercraft used on inland lakes, fine arts, mobile equipment (e.g., backhoes,
forklifts, brush hogs, golf carts), Personal Property temporarily away from
premises (e.g., audio/visual equipment taken to a conference) or leased
equipment (e.g., copying machines, fax machines) through a Special Property
All Risk Agreement State Property Claim.

2. The Risk Management Coordinator will contact all GDC entities, annually,

requesting any changes to All Risk items. The changes are submitted to the
Risk Management Coordinator, who will update the All Risk inventory.

3. The department’s insurance premiums are based on information provided

through the All Risk inventory.

Note: Procedures for filing an All Risk claim are outlined in SOP 404.03

Insurance Claims & Reporting.

E. Workers Compensation is managed by Human Resources.

1. Every employee of the GDC is required to maintain the essential physical and

mental capabilities to perform assigned job functions satisfactorily.
Accordingly, each employee and supervisor are encouraged to take a
heightened interest in promoting workplace safety and accident prevention.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 6 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

2. In the unfortunate event of a workplace accident or injury, necessary

precautions and actions will be followed to ensure prompt delivery of quality
medical care for an injured worker, as provided by the Georgia Workers’
Compensation (WC) Act (O.C.G.A - Title 34, Chapter 9).

3. Effective management and control of the absence and compensatory process

should support the employee's medical recovery and return to duty – either
through transitional, modified, or a regular work assignment.

4. Injured workers and supervisors must cooperate fully with the authorized

healthcare provider(s) and the WC Risk Management specialists, in efforts
designed to return the employee to duty after an on-the-job injury. Close and
professional communication among all affected parties will assure better
administration of the employee’s claim/injury investigation, medical
evaluations, treatment, and rehabilitation services.

Note: Procedures for filing a WC claim are outlined in SOP 104.22 Workers

Compensation.

F. Return to Work is managed by Human Resources.

1. GDC shall manage the Department’s Return-To-Work (RTW) Program to

enable, when feasible, injured and/or ill employees to return to work as quickly
and safely as possible. The GDC shall provide temporary, modified job duty
assignments or an alternative assignment based on timeframes outlined in this
procedure during recovery and return to full duty.

Note: Procedures for filing a temporary modified job assignment are outlined

in the SOP 104.23 Return-to-Work Program.

G. The Indemnification Program is managed by Human Resources.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 7 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

1. The State Indemnification Fund provides a financial benefit when a law

enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or prison
guard, who in the line of duty, is killed or receives bodily injury which results
in death, permanent disability, or partial permanent disability. There is a
supplemental income provision, under limited circumstances, when a law
enforcement officer or firefighter is temporarily disabled.

2. The program is currently administered by the DOAS. Benefits will be payable

according to the rules and regulations of the program, at the time of the loss.

3. Up to date program rules and regulations may be obtained from the Georgia

State Indemnification Commission at the following link:

[http://doas.ga.gov/StateLocal/Risk/Pages/RiskInfo.aspx](http://doas.ga.gov/StateLocal/Risk/Pages/RiskInfo.aspx)

4. For additional information or an application for benefits, contact:

Georgia State Indemnification Commission

c/o Department of Administrative Services

Risk Management Services

Floyd Contract Station

P.O. Box 347118
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-0118

Tel: 404-657-4437

H. The Unemployment Program is managed by Human Resources.

1. The Georgia Department of Corrections will coordinate unemployment benefit

matters with the Department of Labor through its central office and local
personnel offices. Unemployment is temporary income payment used to
replace a portion of wages to separated employees who become unemployed
through no fault of their own and are able and available to work.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|Policy Name:Risk Management Services|
|Policy Number: 404.01|Effective Date: 11/07/2023|Page Number: 8 of 8|
|Authority:
Commissioner|Originating Division:
Administrative & Finance
Division (Admin. Support)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

2. To apply for unemployment, the individual would report to their Local

Department of Labor for assistance.

Note: Procedures are outlined in SOP 104.62 Unemployment Compensation.

I. The Comprehensive Loss Control Program is managed by GDC Comprehensive

Loss Control Program (CLCP) Coordinator.

1. The Georgia Department of Corrections will participate in the CLCP

established by DOAS in order to reduce/manage risks associated with
Workers’ Compensation, Property, Auto Liability and Physical Damage, and
General Liability.

Note: Procedures are outlined in SOP 404.02 Comprehensive Loss Control

Program.

J. The Public Employee Blanket Bond is managed by the Risk Management

Coordinator.

1. This program will pay for loss that results from direct acts of employee

dishonesty, forgery or alteration, theft, disappearance or destruction of funds,
loss on the GDC property or on a banking premises, outside the premises while
in the care of a messenger or armored motor vehicle company, computer fraud
and money order and counterfeit paper currency.

V. Attachments: None.

VI. Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy: None.

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