It’s that time of year again—fall in Iowa. The kids are heading back to school, and the crops are starting to turn. That may not mean much to non-Iowans, but around here, we know it means driving has become an activity that requires even more of our attention.
Many of our members regularly operate work vehicles and equipment, while others may drive their personal vehicles for work purposes. Throughout the day, they cover many miles, often in oversized equipment that comes with additional hazards to consider.
Here are some quick reminders to freshen up your safe driving techniques:
- Watch for school bus traffic: Flashing red and yellow lights should get your full attention—children are in the area.
- Be aware of natural blind spots: Cornfields this time of year make seeing around curves and rural intersections increasingly difficult. Other traffic can be invisible until it’s too late.
- Farm machinery is out and about in heavy force: These oversized vehicles are slower than our normal pace and require extra attention and room. It takes more time and distance to get around them, and you’re often on the shoulder when doing so. Slow down and enjoy the scenery until it’s safe to pass.
- Follow the 4-second rule: Maintain a space of four seconds between you and the driver in front. This gives you time to react and maneuver if something unexpected happens.
- Cut out distractions: Adjust your seat, mirrors, and seatbelt before putting the vehicle in drive. Put your phone on silent and out of reach. Limit food and drink—eyes off the road, even for a split second, can lead to accidents.
- Expect the unexpected: You can only control yourself and your vehicle. Stay alert, watch others on the road, and have your reaction plan in mind ahead of time.
IMWCA Grants Program
IMWCA has a pool of $100,000 annually to fund safety grants to support innovative projects designed to reduce or eliminate workplace injuries, especially those that address the top causes of recent claims. Priority is given to projects that are reproducible across other IMWCA members. Grants are also available to implement proven safety strategies based on prior safety studies. Focus areas may include footwear, training programs, equipment, or wellness initiatives.
Grant applications can be up to $10,000. Eligible projects include such items as pilot “train-the-trainer” programs (e.g., stretching, lifting techniques), post-traumatic stress disorder prevention training, new or innovative tools or processes to reduce back, shoulder, or knee injuries or projects using innovative technology.
Recent successful applications included train-the-trainer for UTV use, restraint wraps for law enforcement and concentrated energy tools for law enforcement.
Applications accepted July 1–April 30 of each fiscal year. Applications after April 30 will be considered for the next fiscal year.
For more information on the IMWCA grants program, visit Safety Grants on the IMWCA website or contact your Safety and Risk Improvement Adviser.
Plan to Attend:
This October, we will be hosting six in-person regional trainings on Incident Analysis.
Register for Upcoming Trainings
Take advantage of two great opportunities to strengthen your workers’ compensation practices this August:
Virtual Round Table – August 12 | 9:30 a.m.
Kick off your morning with a brief presentation on Conducting Effective Safety Meetings, then join the conversation. Our quarterly round tables offer a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and walk away with real-world solutions.
Webinar: Optimizing Injury Reporting & Triage – August 14 | 10 a.m.
Discover how the Company Nurse process and Omni Contact Center make injury reporting easier than ever. Learn how tools like the Digital Assistant, QR Code, and Admin Portal streamline reporting and improve outcomes for your organization.
Reminder: 2024-2025 Payroll Audits Underway
IMWCA is currently conducting the 2024-2025 payroll audits through IMWCA’s contracted firm, Information Providers, Inc. (IPI). You should have already received an appointment letter from IPI, which includes the due date for submitting your payroll information.
If you anticipate any issues with completing the payroll information by the due date, please reach out to your IPI auditor.
Completing the payroll audit in a timely manner is crucial as it helps us verify actual payroll figures and ensure the appropriate premium contributions.
Should you have any questions about the audit process, please feel free to contact Andrew Justice, Underwriting Manager, at andrewjustice@iowaleague.org or (800) 257-2708.
