What are your safety issues? AAC
MEMBE R S E RV I C E S
By Randy M. Kemp County Lines Editor
Sheriffs, Judges, safety directors and jail admin- istrators from around Arkansas. Tey were keen to find out what some of their peers are doing to reduce accidents, injuries, and the potential for both. And they were interested to hear the latest advice from county law expert Mike Rainwater, always a popular speaker. Debbie Norman, Workers’ Comp/Risk Man- agement manager, welcomed the participants; AACRMS Safety Specialist Barry Burkett facili- tated the day-long training class. Te morning was taken up by Pat Hart,
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Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commis- sion, who talked about workplace injuries and getting employees back into work after an in- jury; Andy Kelloms, Dassault Falcon Jet Corp., whose topic was hazard recognition; and Kevin Looney, Arkansas Department of Labor, on the topic of fall prevention. In the afternoon, the group heard from Rain- water and two jail administrators. Capt. Clayton Edwards,White County’s Jail
Administrator, said his county’s average claims have decreased from a year ago. When develop- ing their operational/safety plan, “We standard- ized. We wrote it down in a manual (now 100 pages) in simple language a five-year-old could understand,” he said. Part of the plan includes showing a basic level of respect for the inmates, for instance calling them Mr. or Ms., Capt. Edwards added. “Remember, they are citizens, too.”
As part of refining their policy and training for use of Tasers, the jailers underwent Tasing and were pepper-sprayed. Not all jail staffs use Tasers, “but we do, and they have made a differ- ence in workplace safety for us,” said Edwards. For jail personnel, Tasers are strictly for defen- sive use, not offensive. Tasers cannot be used without proper training. Jason Day, Boone County Jail Administrator, said good training is key. “Train your personnel the right way and the wrong way,” he said. Te days are past where “you could just go in and deal with people however you wanted,” he said, adding his agreement with Capt. Edwards that
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safety workshop sponsored by AAC Workers’ Compensation and Risk Management Trust programs on June 1 attracted a roomful of
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Jason Day, Boone County Jail Administrator, exhibits a tool that his jailers have available for dealing with violent inmates while maintaining jailer safety. “Our Sheriff got us a grant; we didn’t pay a penny for our equipment,” he said. Attorney Mike Rainwater (left), quipped that “Jason loves creative problem- solving – and our jails are the perfect place for creative problem-solving.”
Capt. Clayton Edwards,White County’s Jail Ad- ministrator, talked up the need for on- going training and a good operational manual. And, he added: Don’t forget to show respect to inmates. Although the gesture won’t always be recipro- cated, it will still go a long way toward keeping things safe and civil.
COUNTY LINES, SUMMER 2011
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