With school starting soon, Community Insurance Corporation, along with Wisconsin Educators Risk Management Cooperative and Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation, recently held Playground Safety & Maintenance Training in Oshkosh and Eau Claire. This educational and hands on training brought school officials from around the state to focus on this important issue and ultimately, keep our kids safe.

The event was held Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Carl Traeger Middle School Oshkosh Area School District , and Thursday, August 3, 2023 at Robbins Elementary School Eau Claire Area School District. See photos from the event here.

Jodi Traas, MS, CSRM, CPSI, who is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector and serves Assistant Vice President of Education & Risk Services for CIC/WCMIC and is a dedicated WERMC consultant, presented the training.

Program objectives included:
» Understand organizations related to playground Federal law, Federal guidelines, and national voluntary standards (ADAAG, CPSC, ASTM & IPEMA)
» Injury overview of hazards: head entrapment, entanglement, falls, and protrusions
» Review equipment fall height, use zones, and protective surfacing materials/ASTM standards
» Identify guidelines for playground purchases such as age appropriate equipment and design
» Reduce liability exposure with proper inspections, documentation, and thorough playground injury investigations
» Conduct hands-on Playground Safety Survey
(if owned, please bring playground inspection kit)

This educational seminar was prepared specifically for building and grounds personnel, custodians, maintenance, parks department employees, and safety coordinators. There was no cost for WERMC/CIC/County Mutual members to attend and participate in this seminar.