The SDRMA Innovation Awards Program recognizes members who develop proactive safety and risk management solutions that make a meaningful impact in their Districts. Each year, one large and one small member are honored at the Annual Education Day.

The program invites submissions that address common challenges such as employee safety, claims reduction, and property or liability risks. Whether big or small, all ideas are welcome as long as they demonstrate initiative and action in improving safety and risk management.

 

Small Member - Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District

After a 2023 back injury exposed the risks of manually lifting headstones, the District reevaluated its long-standing installation process, which had relied on fully manual handling for over 90 years. Recognizing the ongoing risk of strain and injury, the District developed an in-house, winch-controlled headstone lift system to eliminate manual lifting.

With the new process, vendors deliver headstones directly to the cemetery, where they are transferred onto a specialized loading table and safely moved using the winch system. The same system allows for precise placement at the gravesite without requiring physical lifting by staff. Implemented in 2024, this solution has fully eliminated manual headstone handling and resulted in zero related injury claims.

Beyond improving internal safety, the District has shared this innovation with other cemetery districts statewide, supporting broader adoption of safer practices. This initiative represents a significant advancement in employee safety, operational efficiency, and risk management.

Large Member - Midway City Sanitary District (MCSD)

Midway City Sanitary District (MCSD) identified a growing safety risk from improperly disposed batteries causing “hot-load” fires in waste collection trucks. These incidents pose serious threats to drivers, the public, and surrounding property, while also increasing operational costs and service disruptions.

To address this hazard, MCSD implemented Amerex Automatic/Manual Fire Suppression Systems across its fleet. These systems provide immediate response through automatic heat detection and fire suppression, along with manual activation by operators when early warning signs appear. The rollout included fleet assessments, operator training, and integration into maintenance and safety protocols.

Since implementation, MCSD has significantly reduced the risk of truck fires, enhanced employee safety, minimized property damage and liability exposure, and improved overall operational reliability. This initiative reflects MCSD’s proactive approach to risk management and its commitment to protecting both its workforce and the community.

 

 

For more information about any of last year's submission, please contact riskcontrol@sdrma.org.