INFORMATION Church Risk Management is dedicated to assisting churches and church staff members develop and maintain safe ministries. Just over nine years ago, CRM published the first issue of the Church Risk Management Journal. During these past nine years, we have had the opportunity to serve several thousand ministries across America and beyond. Today, the issue of church safety is more critical than ever before. Take a few moments and think about the following questions. Are you concerned for the safety of your members and visitors? Is your church staff constantly aware of problems or situations that could result in injury to someone on your property? Are your staff and volunteer workers trained in what to do in case of an emergency? Does your ministry have written policies and procedures? Are they followed?  Are your vehicles carefully maintained by certified mechanics? Are maintenance logs filed for future reference? Are drivers required to perform pre-trip inspections prior to using any church-owned or operated vehicles? Are there written qualifications that drivers must meet prior to driving a church vehicle? Do all drivers meet the standards established by your vehicle insurance policy? Are your drivers registered with your vehicle insurance provider? Do you allow youth to drive to or from any church-sponsored event? Do you allow youth to transport other youth?  Does your church have a food service ministry? If so, are your food service workers trained? Are you aware that improper food-handling has resulted in serious illness and even death associated with church ministry functions? Are there areas in your church nursery that need attention? Are parents satisfied with the standard of care your church nursery provides? Are all nursery workers trained on an annual basis? Do nursery and child-care workers understand the concept of "Universal Precautions?" Has your ministry been a party in a legal proceeding within the past year? Are youth events and trips properly chaperoned by qualified adults? Do you have a proper ratio of chaperones to youth?  Are background checks done on those who work with children and youth? Are you concerned with the spread of illness in your nursery and child care? Are your workers and volunteers trained in "Bloodborne Pathogens?" Are your maintenance, janitorial and housekeeping staff trained in proper lifting techniques to avoid back injury? Do your maintenance, janitorial and housekeeping staff have an understanding of MSDS regulations?