Safety and Risk Management

The responsibility of working with children can be awesome. An area of increasing concern among 4-H Leaders is liability for possible accidents. Whatcom County 4-H Leaders and 4-H in general has a very good track record regarding potential risks. To maintain this good record, we need to always exercise good judgment when planning and carrying out 4-H programs and events. Following is information and guidelines to inform you of WSU policies regarding liability and risk management and guidelines for you to conduct safe activities and events for youth.

Volunteer Liability Protection

Adult volunteer leaders are protected under the State of Washington tort claims law for University vou8nteer leader liability and will be defended whenever an action or proceedings for damages shall be instituted arising from the acts or omissions while performing, or in good faith purporting to perform, their official volunteer duties.

Adult volunteer leaders are expected to act ion good faith and without negligence in the performance of their duties in order to minimize any chance of creating a University liability.

Volunteer Medical Aid Protection

Volunteer leaders are eligible to participate in the Department of Labor and industries medical aid program. Participation in the medical aid program allows an injured volunteer’s medical expense to be paid by the Department of Labor and Industries.

Only enrolled volunteer leaders are assured of coverage. The coverage applies while in the performance of duties as a volunteer leader. It only applies to medical aid and not to loss of income. Accident claims are to be filed wit the County Extension Office as soon after the accident as possible.

Accident Insurance for Members

Private insurance carries offer accident insurance policies for 4-H members, One type of policy offers blanket coverage for enrolled members for the entire year while attending 4-H activities and events. This coverage has been $1-2 per member per year depending on the type of project enrolled.

Another type of coverage offers accident protection for a specific event. Cost and coverage is on a per member per day basis.

Hold Harmless Agreements

When arranging for facilities for 4-H events or activities, 4-H leaders are not to sign any waiver of liability clauses in agreements or contracts. Contact the Extension Office about a suggested Hold Harmless Clause that may be substituted for the waiver of liability clause.

Assumption of Risk

“Assumption of Risk” is considered in liability situations. Whenever someone chooses to do something, they assume a level of risk. For example, if you choose to ride a bull at a rodeo, you assume a higher level of risk than if you choose to stay at home and watch TV. Your responsibility for assuming the risk increases with each step the rodeo takes to inform you of the potential hazards of bull riding.

Responsibility for actions gets passed on. When I inform all leaders that I expect them to conduct all 4-H activities in a safe and responsible manner, the basic responsibility for those actions transfers from me to you. When you inform 4-H’ers of what safe conduct you expect of them, the responsibility for their actions transfers from you to them.

So:

1. Inform all youth and adults how you expect them to conduct themselves safely. For example, “Everyone will wear seat belts when we travel to the judging session,” or “we will only walk and trot the horses on this trail rides, no loping or running.”
2. Jot down and file what safety measurers you’ve told the club (see the “Safety Checklist”)
3. Don’t be afraid to enforce rules or stop dangerous activity. It’s often hard to discipline other people’s children or to cancel an event, but remember that safety is out primary consideration.