We are excited to participate in this years Association of Towns (AOT) Annual Meeting and Training School from February 20 - 23, 2022. Please join presenters Michael Kenneally (Comp Alliance, Executive Director) and Robert Blaisdell (Comp Alliance, Director of Loss Control) for a presentation on, "Navigating A Hostile Work Environment." The presentation will be held on Monday February 21st from 1:00 - 2:00 PM. 

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When employees feel safe and valued in the workplace, they perform better.  Nevertheless, harassment, discrimination and workplace violence continue to permeate workplaces. A hostile workplace can be personally and professionally damaging, even when it does not rise to level of discrimination or workplace harassment. The key to navigating a hostile work environment is to identify the warning signs and understand the strategies necessary to mitigate it.

Popular Loyalty Award Program will Return in 2023

The Comp Alliance is telling its members to check their mailboxes and bank accounts, as it distributes more than $400,000 in member loyalty awards to 175 of its members this month. The individual award amounts are based on length of membership with the Comp Alliance and annual funding contributions. The Loyalty Award Program has generated more than $850,000 in awards this year, and more than $2.5 million total has been returned to Comp Alliance members since the program began in 2019.

While this round represents the final disbursement for FY2022, the Board of Trustees is happy to announce the continuation of the program through FY2023. Members with June and July effective dates who continue their membership with the Comp Alliance in FY2023 will receive their loyalty awards in late summer 2022, while January cycle members that continue their membership will receive their checks in February 2023.  

The Loyalty Award Program symbolizes the tangible benefits that municipal cooperation can bring – because of the continued, reliable participation of our members, the Comp Alliance, with a solid financial position under the guidance of our Board of Trustees, is able to return savings directly to members’ budgets.

The mission of the Comp Alliance has always been to ensure our members are able to meet their long-term workers’ compensation liabilities while maintaining stable funding contributions, which has been made possible through the dedication of our trustees, and partnership with the Association of Towns of the State of New York and the New York State Conference of Mayors. The Comp Alliance has more than 325 members, nearly $42 million in contributions and more than a $66 million surplus.

For more information on the Member Loyalty Award Program, please contact a Comp Alliance Marketing Manager or your insurance broker.

LIVE – Virtual Video Conference TRAINING Conducted on 3 PESH-mandated topics:

Workplace Violence, Right-To-Know – Chemical Safety, and Blood-Borne Pathogens

The Risk Management Department of the Comp Alliance has scheduled virtual video conference training programs for our school and municipal members, covering three mandatory PESH-required training topics listed above. Attendance is limited. 

A seminar including the NY State Mandated Safety Training topics that are required for ALL municipal employees, administrators, board members, volunteers, and seasonal hires on an annual basis.

The winter heating season presents safety concerns with the potential for fires, carbon-monoxide poisoning, heating unit failures, and even portable generator hazards.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that the majority of fires occur during the heating months of December, January and February.  Heating equipment is the leading cause of fire deaths. 

Fuel-burning furnace/boiler units have the potential to collect toxic carbon monoxide gas within a building if not properly vented to the outside.  Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed and maintained in areas around the heating systems to alert occupants of the presence of CO gas. Applicable staff should be trained to evacuate the premises upon emergency conditions.

Municipal facilities can have a variety of heating units.  These include boilers, forced hot air furnaces, and even wood stoves.  Several types of heating fuels such as natural gas, fuel oil, propane, wood and electric are utilized.  It is important that heating sources are functioning properly during the heating season. Inspect furnace units and replace filters as needed. 

Boiler units over 100,000 Btu are required to undergo a certified boiler inspection every two years.  This should be completed by a licensed boiler inspector and tagged with the latest inspection.  All chimney units should be serviced and cleaned prior to each heating season.  Fuel sources need to be inspected for leaks and confirmation that piping is in good condition. Failures in the units or fuel source should be repaired prior to any future use.

To help prevent fires, all combustible materials should be kept a minimum of 3-feet away from heating units as well as their output locations.  We have noticed some highway departments will dry clothing near furnace and stove units. This procedure could cause a fire, so these garments must be kept a minimum of 3 feet away from the heater and organized to not create overcrowding or degrade housekeeping.  Covering a heating vent or duct not only compromises heat flow, but creates a fire potential and reduces the effectiveness of the heating unit.  Portable heating units should not be allowed in office environments. They tend to be left on, placed close to combustible materials (under desks, behind cabinets etc.,) and cause burn injuries to skin when contacted.  Portable heaters have a greater tendency to cause fires when used in this manner and they may tip over.

This winter heating season, provide time to inspect and service your heating units to ensure their proper and safe operation.  Improve housekeeping around your heating units.  Wood stoves need to be monitored during their use by watching for ash build-up and sparks.  It is also important to watch out for employee injuries from lifting and carrying wood to the wood stove. Slips and falls, along with potential for back injuries can occur during this process.

Contact your Comp Alliance loss control professional or the Director of Loss Control, Robert Blaisdell at (518) 330-8591 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details on our safety training offerings.