Navajo County employees can rest easier thanks to a revised risk management policy that received unanimous approval by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. The policy, managed by the county’s Human Resources Department, narrows and simplifies the definition of a motor vehicle accident, allowing employees involved in small, single vehicle accidents to bypass the requirement of drug and alcohol testing.

At its top level, the policy requires county employees to submit to drug and alcohol testing immediately after, but no later than 32 hours following, motor vehicle accidents.

The county prescribes this procedure according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Guidelines, which establish programs designed to help prevent accidents and injuries resulting from the misuse of alcohol or use of controlled substances by drivers of commercial motor vehicles.

Before the county policy revision, this testing guideline was broadly applied to:

* Any accident involving human fatality or bodily injury requiring immediate medical treatment away from the scene.

* Any accident involving damage to a county vehicle or one rented in the county’s name.

* Any damage to a vehicle or property resulting from a statutory violation (speeding, reckless driving, etc). or failure of the operator to exhibit reasonable care.

Exceptions were accidents to a standing or slow-moving vehicle, where the county operator is clearly not at fault.

In his presentation to the Board, Navajo County Risk Manager Eric Scott explained that historically, employees were sometimes involved in accidents that the county classifies as “minor.” Scott cited the example of an employee whose county vehicle sustained damage while traveling rough terrain in the course of normal duty. “Under current policy, the employee would need to be tested,” he explained.

The updated policy clarifies the county’s post-accident substance testing requirement and categorizes the scenarios that would warrant such testing.

While retaining the “Any accident involving human fatality or bodily injury requiring immediate medical treatment away from the scene” clause, the revised policy now stipulates that drug and alcohol testing is only required for:

* Any accident, including property damage, where a citation is served under state or local law for a moving violation arising from the accident.

* Any accident involving disabling damage to a county vehicle.

* Any accident in a vehicle rented in the county’s name.

* Any accident where there is reason to believe that alcohol or drug usage may have contributed to the accident.

The policy’s existing exception remains unchanged.

During the presentation, Chairwoman Dawnafe Whitesinger asked Scott the average occurrence of motor vehicle accidents among county employees while on duty. Without hard figures, Scott estimated a total of approximately 12 to 15 accidents per year, some of which were minor in nature.

To expound, he related to Whitesinger the recent instance of a county employee who had parked a vehicle roadside at a driveway entrance during a business interaction and then backed into a small pole while departing.

Whitesinger remarked “I think that’s a great average, considering how many of us drive for the county.”

In other action Aug. 25, the Board:

* Approved the county’s donation of a decommissioned 2007 Dodge Durango to the Hopi Tribe Elections Department at the tribe’s request.

The vehicle will be used to provide voter transportation for participation in Hopi elections.

* Heard a presentation given by Craig Sullivan, executive director of the County Supervisors Association, including a discussion of the recent legislative session, fiscal year 2016 county budget impacts, and other county partner and advocacy initiatives.

* Approved all consent agenda items.

* Approved the consent agenda item for Navajo County Public Health Services District, granting the School Facilities and Equipment Use Request between the district and Ganado Unified School District effective July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2018, in the amount of $729 per month.

* Approved a new liquor license for Lakeside Bell Gas & Minimart located at 3557 White Mountain Blvd.

The county received responses from the sheriff’s office, treasurer, and planning and zoning department with no opposition to the application.

To his inquiry, County Executive Secretary Sheila Malone confirmed to District IV Supervisor Steve Williams that no responses from the public were received regarding the application.

The board will hold its next regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.