2024 Municipal Summits

2024 Municipal Summits

The Municipal Summits are statewide educational and networking events that bring together stakeholders in local and state government to share ideas and discover resources, coordinated by the Montana League of Cities and Towns (League), the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA), and the MSU Local Government Center (LGC). Clerks who attend a Summit and take the quiz are eligible to earn up to 6 Clerk's CE Credits.

Register Now!

 View the Draft Agenda to see 2024 discussion topics: AGENDA (PDF)

Know where your dough goes. More information link

Know where your dough goes…

The MMIA is a self-funded public entity pool owned by the cities and towns of Montana. A public entity pool is an arrangement through which a group of public entities contribute to a shared fund that pays for claims and provides risk management services. The pool spreads risk (claim costs) and benefits (cost savings) among all Member-Owners. Spreading the risk and benefits provides protection to the individual entities from the volatility of claim costs.

Pie with fancy crust and slice behing removed

Pools also benefit from long-term stabilized pricing for Member-Owners rather than the sometimes-volatile increases or decreases in the commercial insurance market. Public entity pooling meets the needs of local municipalities with programs and services gained through extensive knowledge of public entity activities and risks. The primary purpose of any public entity pool is to manage and reduce underlying risks to the benefit of public entity Member-Owners and the public at large.

MMIA collaborates with Member-Owners to create, foster, and manage safe environments to minimize personal injury, bodily injury, physical damage, property damage, and workplace injuries. The MMIA provides self-funded coverage to Member-Owners through the Property Program, Liability Program, Worker’s Compensation Program, and Employee Benefits Program. You can lower your costs by participating in unique risk management programs as well as engaging with the experienced professionals at MMIA to learn how to manage your risk.

The MMIA staff can help Member-Owners with coverage questions, identifying liability exposures, navigate a multitude of employment practices and hiring concerns, workplace safety, and daily circumstances that arise. MMIA staff can collaborate with Member-Owners to develop and implement practices that achieve goals by effective strategic execution. No question is too silly. No scenario too far-fetched. No need is too small for MMIA to help our Member-Owners. Whether you have a hiring question, a liability scenario to review, or you want to become part of our Lexipol Pilot Initiative to advance your Police Department’s policy and training standards, assistance is a just a phone call or email away. If you have programs or recreation facilities for kids such as swimming pools, sports leagues, day care, or summer camps, etc., we strongly encourage you to take part in the Child Abuse Prevention Program to assess, develop, and implement a strong plan to protect the children and your community. We have partnered with Praesidium Inc. to give you access to their step-by-step on-line tool that guides you through the assessment, creation, and ongoing development phases to sharpen your prevention program. MMIA is available to get you started and assist you with the process.

Contact Risk Management at MMIA for your Member-Owners resources. Get your piece of the pie!

Website: MMIA.net/RiskManagement

E-mail: riskmgmt@mmia.net

Phone: 800-635-3089

2021 Risk Management Award Winners Announced: Congratulations to these Member-Owners on their accomplishments in managing risk and preventing losses! Read more...

2021 Risk Management Award Winners Announced

2021 Risk Management Award Winners Announced: Congratulations to these Member-Owners on their accomplishments in managing risk and preventing losses! Read more...

Bob Worthington Risk Management Achievement Award

Each year MMIA asks for nominations for the Bob Worthington Risk Management Award for exceptional efforts to manage risk or prevent losses. Nominations can include an individual municipal employee or a group nomination such as a department or member-owner as a whole. This year the award winners include Rich Hickel, Kalispell Adjutant City Attorney, and The City of Bozeman!

Rich Hickel, 2021 BWRMAA Individual Winner

Rich makes risk management for the City of Kalispell a top priority in all aspects of his work. Whether it’s ensuring the interlocal agreement for participation in a drug task force protects the city from uncontrolled liability, ensuring AED programs are in compliance with state and federal statutes, creating the agreements between the city and third parties to embed social workers into the police department or shoring up the city of Kalispell's volunteer agreements, Rich makes sure that risk management is always a consideration. By making risk management a consideration with each project, Rich is a tremendous asset to the City of Kalispell, and to the membership of the MMIA.

City of Bozeman, 2021 BWRMAA Group Winner

The City of Bozeman has created a culture that encourages health and wellness with their employees exemplified by their participation rates in the annual health screening events. Even as one of MMIA’s largest members, they have consistently achieved 80% participation for five years in a row. In addition to great leadership and peer support, they provide thoughtful touches such as a table of healthy snacks and coffee for employees after their screening and a breakfast treat to make the health screening a fun event and entice folks to participate. They budget for these additions because they know the plan savings that can come from a healthier group and how important early detection of potential health issues can be. The results of these efforts are evident in their claim data and help the City of Bozeman keep their rates lower for all employees on the plan.

Please join us in congratulating Rich Hickel, Kalispell City Attorney, and The City of Bozeman!

Nominate Someone Today!

Nominations for this Risk Management Award are a great way to recognize exceptional work and encourage member-owners to learn from each other. Make your nomination today by completing the form on the BWRMAA nomination page.

2021 Loss Control Awards

Each year member-owners of the MMIA Liability and Workers’ Compensations programs with the lowest claim expenditures/number of employees for the previous five-year period receive a loss control award. Members-owners with low incurred expenditures save money not only to their municipality, but also to the MMIA pools in which they participate.

Loss Control Awards for the Liability Program:

First Class Cities: Havre
Second Class Cities: Lewistown
Third Class Cities: Three Forks
Towns: Plains

Loss Control Awards for the Workers Compensation Program:

First Class Cities: Billings
Second Class Cities: Whitefish
Third Class Cities: Chinook
Towns: Twin Bridges

Montana Amended Rules for Community AEP Programs. Get Resources

Montana Amended Rules for Community AED Programs

Montana Amended Rules for Community AEP Programs. Get Resources

Montana Amended Rules for Community AED Programs

Effective November 21, 2020, the State of Montana amended the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) related to automated external defibrillators (AED) including ARMs 37.104.601, 37.104.604, 37.104.606, 37.104.615 and 37.104.616. MMIA encourages cities and towns with AED programs to review the amended rules and update their programs as necessary to comply with the changes.

 Where can the amended rules be viewed?

On the Montana SOS Administrative Rules website.

Does MMIA  have sample AED programs that member-owners can use?

Yes, MMIA has a sample written program and sample AED inspection form that member-owners can customize to meet their needs. Sample materials are included as attachments on the right. For more details, contact the MMIA risk management department at 800-635-3089 or via email.

2020 Risk Management Awards

2020 Risk Management Awards

Bob Worthington Risk Management Achievement Award

Each year, a municipal employee group, department, or member receives the Bob Worthington Risk Management Award for exceptional efforts to manage risk or prevent losses. This year, the award goes to Michael Kardoes from the City of Livingston. Kardoes was nominated for his thoughtful and strategic work for the city surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Kardoes implementing a risk management plan which demonstrated his great collaboration and communication, risk management, and leaderships skills. These risk management and leadership skills are evident daily whether it is dealing with complex legal issues and sensitive HR problems, resolving complaints without going to court.

Nominate Someone Today!

Nominations for this Risk Management Award are a great way to recognize exceptional work and encourage members to learn from each other. Make your nomination today by completing the form on the BWRMAA nomination page.

2020 Loss Control Awards

Each year member-owners of the MMIA Liability and Workers’ Compensations programs with the lowest claim expenditures/number of employees for the previous five-year period receive a loss control award. Members-owners with low incurred expenditures save money not only to their municipality, but also to the MMIA pools in which they participate.

Loss Control Awards for the Liability Program:

First Class Cities: Missoula
Second Class Cities: Anaconda-Deer Lodge
Third Class Cities: Three Forks
Towns: Culbertson

Loss Control Awards for the Workers Compensation Program:

First Class Cities: Billings
Second Class Cities: Miles City
Third Class Cities: Big Timber
Towns: Chester

Steps to prevent slips, trips and falls 1: Walk flat footed and take short steps. 2: Wear footwear that provides traction. 3: Step down, not out from curbs. 4: Use your arms for balance. 5: Don't carry too much.

Slip and Fall Prevention

Steps to prevent slips, trips and falls 1: Walk flat footed and take short steps. 2: Wear footwear that provides traction. 3: Step down, not out from curbs. 4: Use your arms for balance. 5: Don't carry too much.

Slip and Fall Prevention

Changing seasons means changes in walking conditions. Slips and falls can cost cities and towns big in the form of workers’ compensation claims from employees or liability claims if the public slips and falls on municipal property. As a member-owner of these MMIA programs, cities and towns can work together to keep people safe and save money.

Slip and Fall Prevention Poster

To prevent slip and falls, cities/towns should:

  • Establish a ground maintenance plan including snow removal.
    • For snowfalls of less than four inches, brooms and other hand tools can be used to clear walkways.
    • For snow accumulations of greater than four inches, mechanical means should be used for clearing snow.
    • When ice cannot be promptly removed, sanding should be done in parking areas and walkways.
    • Strategically place traction treatments such as sand, salt, or ice melt.
    • Consider implementing “self-service” stations for traction treatments for staff to utilize as conditions change.
    • Identify a location for the snow to be plowed and stored.
      • Avoid stockpiling in areas where runoff would pose hazards for pedestrians.
      • Ensure snow piles do not create an obstructed view to traffic.
      • Keep fire protection equipment such as hydrants clear from obstruction.
    • Maintain safe floors inside:
      • Use strategically placed mats to prevent tracking of moisture and
      • Have cleaning equipment and absorbent materials readily available for cleanup.

To avoid slip and falls, staff should:

  • Take care exiting your vehicle or equipment.
    • Slips and falls occur when exiting a vehicle because of surface changes, balance changes, uneven or slippery surfaces, and distractions.
    • Keep three points of contact with the vehicle until you’re sure of solid footing. Scan the environment for hazards.
  • Wear footwear appropriate for the conditions.
    • Smooth-soles and high-heels (cowboy boots have both) do not provide good traction during fall and winter conditions in Montana.
    • Wear non-slip or lug soled shoes or use traction devices on your footwear while walking outside.
  • Plan your route.
    • Use routes that are maintained regularly.
    • Try to avoid long and steep walkways and stairways in wet or winter conditions when possible.
  • Walk like a penguin when faced with snowy or slippery conditions.
    • Fast long steps with fully extended legs makes you vulnerable to slips.
    • Walk like a penguin to maximize stability. Lower your center of gravity by keeping knees bent and flexible. Point toes out slightly, keeping feet directly beneath you. Take small slow steps while keeping hands low and slightly out to the side. The worse the surface conditions, the more pronounced the penguin position.
  • Go up and down stairs with caution.
    • Stairways are common slip, trip, and fall areas and deserve extra attention.
    • Always use the handrail while going up and down stairs.
    • Avoid distractions such as using a cell phone or reading while walking on stairs.
  • Check inside buildings to avoid common slip, trip, fall hazards.
    • Curled rugs, spills, poor housekeeping, and other preventable conditions are common causes of injuries.
    • Be diligent about housekeeping, carry small loads, properly place electrical cords, and use the correct equipment for the job.
  • Notify your supervisor if:
    • You are aware of any unsafe conditions. Conditions change quickly, and your input is key in timely addressing of hazards. Keep yourself, co-workers, and the public safe by notifying your supervisor of safety concerns; or
    • You experience a slip, trip, or fall.

Trenching and Excavation Safety

Working Excavator Tractor Digging A Trench At Construction Site.

Trenching and Excavation Safety

Quick Facts

Solid black weight depicting 1 tonDid you know the average cubic yard of dry fill dirt weighs 2,000 pounds? If it’s made up of a mixture of sand, stone and gravel, the weight can easily exceed 3,000 pounds per cubic yard. So the material of a 3’x3’x3’ excavation weighs as much as a mid-sized car!

There is no reliable warning when a trench fails. The walls can collapse suddenly, and workers will not have time to move out of the way. Even a seemingly small amount of dirt can fatally crush or suffocate workers. If they survive a trench collapse, they may suffer traumatic brain injuries, injuries such as compartment syndrome or crush syndrome, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and a host of other serious injuries.

What can you do to prevent workplace fatalities in trenching and excavation operations?

Follow the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652. Following those requirements will help you protect workers and it is also the law! All employers, including municipalities, must comply with the trenching and excavation requirements found in those federal codes of regulation.


View the full 1926 Subpart P standards

Additional Resources

For additional resources on trenching and excavation safety including the Trenching and Excavation Safety Publication, Trench Safety QuickCard, Trench Safety Posters, and more, please visit:

Contact MMIA’s Risk Management Team

Contact Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health Bureau

Overview

Nationally workplace fatalities related to trenching and excavation have tripled since 2014 according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose a great risk to workers’ lives. When done safely, trenching operations can limit worker exposure to cave-ins and other potential hazards including falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment.

Trench Safety Measures

Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.

Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system be designed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/or approved by a registered professional engineer in accordance with 1926.652 (b) and (c).

Competent Person

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards require, before any worker entry, that employers have a competent person inspect trenches daily and as conditions change to ensure the elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to workers; soil types; and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions.

Protective Systems

There are different types of protective systems. Designing a protective system is complex and requires consideration of many factors including: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes caused by weather or climate, surcharge loads (e.g., spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity. Any system used must meet the required performance criteria of the standards.

Benching – means a method of protecting workers from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels. Benching cannot be done in Type C soil (as defined in 1926 Subpart P Appendix A). Type C soil is common throughout Montana.

Sloping – involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. The angle may not be steeper than 1 ½:1 (for every foot of depth, the trench must be excavated back 1 ½ feet) unless the employer uses one of the options listed in 1926.652 (b) (1) (i) or 1926.652 (b) (1) (ii).

Shoring – requires installing hydraulic rams or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins.

Shielding – protects the workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins.

Access and Egress

  • Know where underground utilities are located before digging.
    • Use 811 services for locates, and have a copy of the 811 ticket readily available.
  • Conduct a personal protective equipment (PPE) assessment for each task workers will be performing, and provide the necessary PPE.
  • Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.
  • Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges.
  • Identify other sources that might affect trench stability.
    Provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper.

    • Means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench.
  • Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases when > 4 feet deep.
  • Inspect trenches at the start of each shift.
  • Inspect trenches following a rainstorm or other water intrusion.
    Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench.
  • Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials.
    Utilize traffic control devices to prevent the motoring public from entering the work area and to separate traffic from the work to reduce vibration of the soil.
  • Ensure that personnel wear high visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic.