Workers' Compensation Insurance and Claims
Liability, Crime, Property, Equipment and Vehicle Insurance and Claims
Vehicle Collision Review Board
Insurance Certificates
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Job Site Safety Inspections
OSHA Compliance
Safety Planning
Safety Training

The Safety and Risk Management Office ensures that the risks of the County's assets, liabilities and employees are adequately insured. This office handles all workers' compensation, property, vehicle, equipment, aviation, liability, fidelity and crime insurance matters. Insurance claims are reviewed, reported and processed by this department.

Additionally, the Safety and Risk Management Office ensures that all County employees are provided a safe and healthful work environment as required by the General Duty Clause from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other pertinent regulations as mandated by OSHA. The Safety Manager reports violations to the concerned department head for corrective action and, if necessary, can report any hazard violation and recommend corrective action directly to the County Administrator. A Safety Committee, comprised of front line supervisors representing a cross section of County departments and assists this office in developing policy and identifying and resolving unsafe working conditions.

Back to top

This Office Does

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Terms

Blood Borne Pathogen--Organisms that can be transmitted from one individual to another via blood to blood or specific body fluid contact.

Defensive Driving-- The practice of driving with increased consciousness of the potential hazards facing the driver, including the surroundings, road conditions and the actions of others.

Ergonomics-- The study of work environments, equipment and processes to design and develop tools that minimize physical stress.

Fidelity Insurance -- Insurance against a claim involving losses that occur through any fraudulent or dishonest act or acts committed by any employee.

Liability-- Fiscal responsibility incurred when a person fails to do what a reasonable or prudent person ordinarily would do under similar circumstances and causes another injury or causes property damage.

OSHA(U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) --The federal agency charged with implementation and enforcement of safety codes in the workplace.

OSHA General Duty Clause-- The requirement that employers provide a healthful and safe working environment for employees.

VCRB (Vehicle Collision Review Board)-- A County board whose purposes are to identify the cause of collisions, establish responsibility and devise means to reduce the number of collisions involving County vehicles.

History

Prior to the creation of the Safety and Risk Management Office, several employees within the Human Resources Department executed insurance-related functions (including non-personnel insurance matters like vehicle and equipment insurance). On July 1, 1986, a separate Risk Management Office was formed to meet the needs of the growing organization and to address the increasingly technical requirements of insurance coverage.

In July 1988, the newly created Safety Office consisted of one Safety Coordinator charged with job site inspection, general safety training and initiation of the National Safety Council Defensive Driving Program for County employees. In May 1992, the Safety Office added the Blood Borne Pathogen Program to its duties and a Safety Compliance Officer position to enforce the program.

In 2006, Safety and Risk Management was aligned to report to the Chief Support Officer.

Back to top

Interesting Facts

Contact Information

Perimeter Center
4050 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-3890
(843) 746-3897 (Fax)

Office Hours

Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Back to top